I want to thank you, Madam Secretary, and your staff for being so accommodating and forthright with us.

The IIJA established the BEAD program to expand high-speed Internet access across the country.

I have a big--I have really hard concerns about the ESG because if ESG is not taken with the same light that, basically, geopolitical unrest that we see around the world, you are putting us in a very unfair advantage--or disadvantage--can…

We are paying for all, the Federal Government is paying to reimburse those who were led to believe this is safe and secure and it is cheaper.

I really believe that in my heart.

If you are going to do something, rather than just now saying--they think if you set a precedent now that they are expecting the feds to bail everybody out, and I don't think that is what our intentions are.

We are not holding anything hostage. We are voting to pay our bills.

I could never figure how we got into so many hollers and up so many creeks and everything else.

I think we need to do a better follow up here on the--certainly on the ones that are suspect, and certainly around the industries, and others that are exploiting our--any child.

I think you did the right thing when you all made your decision on taking care of depositors, but not the bank bailout and not the shareholders.

What we are concerned about is, you know, I know the EU and I am fine. I said, I don't have a problem with our allies. What I have a problem with is going to countries that we don't have what we would call a secure supply chain.

It is interesting that you would phrase it that way, because my understanding is that there have been clinical trials, that there is science-based evidence, that this does move the needle.

There is not that many rural co-ops still left.

What we are concerned about is, you know, I know the EU and I am fine. I said, I don't have a problem with our allies. What I have a problem with is going to countries that we don't have what we would call a secure supply chain.

It is great to have our first kickoff hearing. Appreciate your leadership.

Doesn't it seem like 27 percent of the dollars that the IRA, which none of us voted for, is going to go to administrative costs, is that really providing environmental justice?

We think that there were nefarious acts by those responsible to protect themselves and the heck with our depositors.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.