Mike Johanns

Let me thank Senator Hoeven. I noticed today we are also joined by another former Governor. In fact, we were both elected to the Senate at the same time so we are both part of the same class. Senator Risch, at one point in his career…

What is the market reaction going to be just in terms of this? It just seems to me that if I were a big trader in Treasuries, I would want a better deal.

We know we are borrowing 40 cents on every dollar.

It is without question certainly that one element of a robust export system is a strong Export-Import Bank.

Yes, that is the kind of answer I would expect from you, and I appreciate your candor about that.

I cannot imagine, Dr. Glauber, that you would have agreed with that assessment. Am I right about that?

I think you are being diplomatic. You do not have to be here.

Doesn't it occur to you that with the risk of losing this business, literally forcing jobs and capital to the place of least resistance, which, holy smokes, that might be Europe?

I know that these agencies have their hands full right now getting help to people.

This is a tragic situation because the average person just simply would not go out and buy a flood insurance policy if no one is advising them that it is necessary.

How we deal with that, I think, has got to occupy some of our time as we think about the farm bill.

We need a 21st century model for agriculture because there are huge demands on the U.S. agricultural system.

I am coming to the conclusion that this farm bill is about risk management.

I pay attention to those USDA numbers kind of religiously.

I think it does provide some momentum for further opportunities in other parts of Asia.

I am hoping to encourage people to focus on the dollars that are available in the current agriculture programs.

I always said I grew up on one of those small farms, as you know, in your home State, and I just love all of agriculture.

It is crop insurance that we need to be focused on, especially with the disasters that we have seen this year.

I think, Senator Tester, you have a good idea here.

We all acknowledge that processing time is just dismal.

What happens if the rug is just pulled out and all of a sudden it ends tomorrow, no blenders' credit...

I think at the end of the day, really what Congress was attempting to do was to send a stable signal to the marketplace.

We have to take steps to become less reliant on these nations for our energy needs and more reliant on domestic sources.

Ethanol production boosts rural economies.

I have long been a supporter of renewable energy sources, including ethanol.