I have been an advocate for whistleblowers because I value candid, unfiltered information they provide to Congress.

He has been around agriculture in the family farm, as mayor of a small town, as a State senator, and as Governor of Iowa.

I am so pleased to see that one of the President-elect's Cabinet nominations is an Iowan, and I want to personally congratulate you.

The only thing whistleblowers are guilty of is committing truth.

Many of us in the Senate have worked hard in years to pass legislation to help restore competition in livestock markets.

For a long time on this issue, I have worked with my colleagues Senator Feingold, Senator Harkin, and others.

I think you spoke to this in your opening statement, so that is a pretty strong statement you made.

I would like to have you take a look at a letter that I sent to the Department NRCS early in December.

I have a lot of confidence in the U.S. Trade Representative designee, Ron Kirk, to understand that.

As you well know, there have been some very tragic circumstances in California with dairy farmers who have been so stressed that they have taken their own lives.

As science continues to expand our knowledge about pathogens and other challenges to the safety and security of our food supply, we need to make sure that whatever our system is for ensuring the safety of the food supply is consistent with…

All producers, and is good for the taxpayers.

I think it is also important to recognize the important role, again, that rural development plays in providing opportunities that supplement and support farm income.

I care deeply about the people who live in rural communities.

I would sure like your assurance that will not continue because that is a very vital and needed program.

They recognize the role that they play in not just feeding Americans but people all over the world.

It is also a reservoir. A lot of people don't realize that our forests basically provide and assist in providing water, clean water to 60 million Americans.

I think that was an important beginning first step in the process.