I think the thing that concerns me is that, last year, as a Member of Congress... that simply does not reflect that negotiation, that authorization bill.

Every place I go, people are so angry.

It is important not only, like I say, a fairness issue, doing things right, but also the importance of the economy.

In Arkansas, the name of the game right now and really throughout the country is jobs, jobs, jobs.

I am very concerned that perhaps employers are starting--maybe psychologically or whatever, sometimes willfully, it is difficult.

I really feel kind of bad in the sense, you know, there for a while I literally--as being Chair and then Ranking Member on the Veterans' Employment Subcommittee, Economic Opportunity--it seemed like, you know, we were meeting every month…

I want to congratulate you on being Chairman. I look forward to working with you and Senator Burr as we all push forward and work really hard to get a lot of stuff accomplished for veterans.

But my concern and the concern of many others is that the agency, this agency, other agencies, are trying to do things that they don't have the statutory authority to do.

I rise to honor the life of one of America's bravest killed in action in Afghanistan--SPC Ethan C. Hardin--a fallen hero who served our Nation in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Specialist Hardin, 22, grew up in Fayetteville, AR…

I appreciate that and appreciate those efforts. Again I think some really number values as far as economic impact are helpful.

I guess my question, as you mentioned, I am so pleased to hear that you are working, you know, with your counterpart on the EPA to try and figure out, you know, these things as they go forward.

I really do think that is the question of the day right now.

As you know, the ag business is tremendously important in Arkansas, and I had the opportunity to visit with many of my producers.

We live in a country where it is very difficult to protect ourselves against all the challenges that we face from a number of different areas, but we need to have the ability to respond once something happens.

Congress should not rubber-stamp every policy that is labeled 'Green.'

The key, though, is that it has to work.

I hope we can disagree without being disagreeable.

I am very excited about being the Ranking Member, serving on this subcommittee.

But I will say that China cheats totally.

Good policies will lead to net job creation, including the creation of so-called 'Green Jobs.'

Are we using sound science, are we getting the emotion out of the play, and are we helping producers and entities as we make changes that in many cases threaten the very existence.

I want to help you meet these important responsibilities, while minimizing adverse impacts to job creation, the economy of Arkansas and our way of life.

One of the first things I did as a new Senator was go to my big paper mill in Pine Bluff, AR.

You mentioned just now that one of the things that is keeping people sitting by the side, they don't know what the cost of regulation is going to be.

I voted for it in the House.