Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I respectfully disagree. First, mergers in the media are different because they affect competition in the marketplace of ideas which are so central to our democracy.

Only aggressive enforcement of our Nation's antitrust laws will ensure that competition flourishes.

The mission of the Justice Department's Antitrust Division has never been more important.

I appreciate that. And, finally, I would like you to offer me some response that is somewhat specific to my suggestion that media activities, because they relate to something so central to democracy, deserve more than just an economic…

We were pleased last year when the Justice Department decided to block the merger between DirecTV and EchoStar.

I have some concerns about the delivery of many of the programs available to support the farm sector.

Wisconsin dairy farmers, for example, face record low prices, increasing costs, and this market squeeze is devastating.

We must remember that much of Rural America did not share in all the prosperity that the rest of the Nation enjoyed over the past decade.

Today's panel centers on the mission areas of USDA that have the most direct impact on Rural America.

I would agree, no question as a matter of principle.

I do appreciate that and the clarification is very helpful.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for holding this propitious hearing this morning.

But that kind of a backlog would not be tolerated by you here.

Thank you very much, Senator Bennett.

I will be on you and at you with a sense of urgency to try and find some way to increase the amount of funding that we can get in Wisconsin.

Senator Kohl, certainly, you know that import inspection, or reinspection, as we call it, of meat and poultry that is imported into the United States is an extremely high priority with us at FSIS.

I think you are absolutely right.