If the climate continues to warm, as it has been on and off since the last Ice Age, snow packs will not be holding water as long.

Western irrigated agriculture is a strategic national resource, and the role of the Federal Government in the 21st century should be to protect and enhance that resource.

Thank you very much.

the statement that this shutdown is the fault of Republicans, when Republicans have repeatedly voted to keep the government open, is simply false.

I would remind my colleagues that incessantly repeating a falsehood does not make it a truth.

I would remind my friend from New Hampshire that three times the House voted to fund the government.

We must vote on a clean resolution, continuing resolution, with no add-ons, I mean none, clean; open the Federal Government and put people back to work.

So with that, Mr. Chair, I yield back.

As you know, I invited you to testify on H.R. 3176 at the Water and Power Subcommittee's October 10, 2013 hearing.

While you unfortunately chose not to attend, it is your agency's responsibility to provide the Administration's views on H.R. 3176.

I request that you provide written comments on the bill no later than November 1, 2013.

Are we seeing an adversarial relationship begin to develop between this Government and the people, and particularly between the U.S. Forest Service and the users of our public lands?