Robert Aderholt

Okay. A report was released recently that highlighted the potential for adversaries to conduct cyber attacks on power grids.

If North Korea fails to curb the program and the President were to decide to strike, my question is, are we assembling the resources that we need to cripple the North Korean military in the first 72 hours?

I think this Committee has been very committed to funding for food safety, and I think the record will show that.

Cyber is the biggest threat to our market and, unfortunately, Dodd-Frank doesn't give us any instructions as to what to do about the cyber threat to our market.

We have established four primary goals for this Subcommittee as we progress through the 2018 appropriations process.

The intent of this hearing is to examine the Food and Drug Administration's fiscal year 2018 budget request.

This is a modest increase, and I understand the reasoning you put forth in your testimony.

Well, let me just say that, if you do need some specific legal authority to do this, please let us know.

It seems it would be wise to require a certain length of service in exchange.

Sunshine is the best disinfectant.

The more transparency the better. Whether you agree with an issue or not, having that information out there is important.

One of the issues that I think boggles the mind is the four programs under the Food and Nutrition Services that have not complied with the improper payment laws for the past 4 years.

A lot of these challenges were never fully addressed by the previous administration, and now we have to hope you and the new administration fix some critical issues.

The amendment has been vetted by the House Legislative Counsel and the staff at the CFTC. I understand and I can appreciate any concerns that the ranking member would have. Let me say, as we move forward, we will take any of this into…

You know, it embarrasses me that you have to raise these issues that should not even come to your level, quite frankly.

I hope to learn more this morning on what you are doing to take positive steps in these areas.

I was especially disappointed to see your proposal to cut the National Institutes of Health.

Unfortunately, your budget assumes many areas of tax increases, new user fees, changes in mandatory spending, and other spending sources that are beyond the purview of this subcommittee.

We are the best, most efficient growers in the world. We want to sell them American grain and meat and poultry.

Removing the American farmer and shipper from participation in this 60 year old tradition of the Food for Peace Program does not create intended efficiencies.

I fear that the President's request has realized concerns of many past and current stakeholders about the unintended consequences associated with these proposed reforms.

The President's budget, once again, proposes to slash spending for food aid, including a $116 million cut to the Food for Peace Program.

We take whatever laws Congress passes and directs us to do quite seriously, and we are certainly committed to working through the issues and the complexity of this in a pragmatic way and one that gives our employees certainty, but also…

The importance of U.S. exports to the agriculture sector, and this is one of the few sectors of our economy that has a consistent trade surplus.

Both of those individuals, Acting Commissioner and the Secretary, clearly stated that the science behind these products supported the federal government's position that these products are safe for planting and safe for human consumption.