However, continued growth of 8, 9 and 10 percent gets really difficult, and probably is unsustainable.

In many instances, a greater degree of supply chain coordination through AMAs will be utilized to procure the cattle for these plants.

The CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan provided VA with $37 billion to respond to the pandemic.

This improvement in quality is due to producers making investments in their herds, in genetics, management, and feeding practices.

We have a particularly soft economy right now, and historically what we know in soft economies is that vets who were reliant on employer-provided care, until now, are relying on their care for us.

I think I can speak for all of us.

The U.S. cattle industry has a storied history. It is the backbone of many rural economies.

Members of the subcommittee remain committed to providing VA with the resources needed to care for our veterans.

I have to say that, overall, VA performed admirably throughout the crisis, and deserves praise and recognition for that.

I think an honest answer is economists have not quantified those costs very well yet.

When any one segment of this industry experiences an unexpected event, it ripples through the entire supply chain.

Legislative changes are needed to resolve barriers to controlled substance prescribing, including for substance abuse treatment.

I rise in support of S. Res. 268 and of our Nation's dairy farmers, processors, and consumers as we celebrate National Dairy Month. This National Dairy Month is especially important. This time last year, the country was still shut down…

Members of the subcommittee remain committed to providing VA with the resources needed to care for our veterans.

The request that we have does not include investments in Pacific deterrents and issues that we were expecting to see.

How are you prioritizing funding for barracks and dorms within the MILCON budget, as well as against other quality of life projects such as child development centers?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Without a corresponding increase in top line, affordability will continue to decrease as the cost of construction projects continues to rise.

I look forward to working closely with you to address the Military construction and family housing needs facing us.

Mr. Cramer, the past couple of years, your office has been working on military construction reform, looking for ways to reduce cost and improve timeliness of delivery.

the committee is very, very supportive of the project and understands how important it is.

Again, thank you all for being here today. We appreciate you for taking the time to, again, talk about this very important subject.

This year's budget request of $9.8 billion reflects a 22 percent increase over the fiscal year 2021 enacted level of 8.1 billion.

I want to thank you for being so helpful in regard to the I-40 Bridge. That is a very serious situation.

It is such a huge, huge issue, a big expense, and just, you know, a gigantic project that is so, so very important.