Debbie Wasserman Schultz

Federal investment in these academic research partnerships is so important because every dollar invested in agricultural research and development returns $20 in benefits from increased agricultural productivity.

I am proud that American public land-grant universities like the University of Florida--go Gators--has been leading the world in the arena of agricultural research and education.

Great, and just as my time is winding down, I want to just mention the USDA expanded the child nutrition program flexibilities through this summer.

Food pantries soon began complaining that deliveries weren't arriving, that produce was arriving in poor condition.

Flaws in the program's implementation became evident almost immediately.

The agency needs to be able to carry out its role of ensuring animal welfare standards are met.

Yeah. Feels a little like Groundhog Day on this issue.

Mr. Secretary, I wanted to revisit Florida citrus and ask you about the Citrus Health Response Program, or CHRP, and the HLB MAC program, which are two critical programs in the fight to protect the U.S. citrus crop from disease.

It is really vital for AQI to have the funds necessary to continue this critical work.

The public charge rule, you know, obviously eliminated so many Hispanic and immigrant families.

I think it is so important that USDA make this a priority. It is so critical.

COVID has continued to exacerbate an already serious food insecurity problem nationwide but especially among the Hispanic and immigrant families who live in Florida.

Animal fighting is not only cruel and unethical, but it can also spread disease.

I am very much looking forward to serving on this subcommittee and to working with you and our colleagues.

I have joined the entire Florida delegation in the House, as well as Senator Rubio, in asking President Biden to request $725 million for Everglades restoration in fiscal year 2022.

So we need to not only create manufacturing jobs here in America, but we also need to make sure that they are clean manufacturing jobs that we create here in America.

We need the whole-of-the-government approach and a whole-of-the-government strategy on advanced technology products.

What we need is an across-the-board advanced technology product agenda.

Communities of color and marginalized communities in the United States and all around the world are being hit hardest by climate change and pollution.

Climate change is a defining issue of our time because it affects virtually every policy area.

We are dealing with conduct that brings shame on this House. It is exactly the kind of conduct that helps fuel domestic terrorism.

We must try to right the wrongs committed against these children, reunite those who remain separated to this day, and support the families as they deal with the deep trauma they have experienced.

We must demand accountability for the officials who instituted this policy with no regard for the trauma and lifelong consequences for the children it impacted.

And we must ensure that our country, that we never, never needlessly separate children and weaponize them with trying to address the immigration crisis.

The cruelty of this policy was the point, and Jeff Sessions would not be deterred.