We have such a powerful force with our agricultural productivity.

I spent all week trying to come up with intuitive, brilliant, incisive questions to ask you, recognizing how intelligent and articulate you are...

I commend the administration's commitment to zero, zero, zero being the goal, as far as the trade policy is concerned.

I think the more open we can be in meeting with the leadership of countries we are having to deal with one way or another, the more it forces them to be open.

I thank the Senator from Montana, Mr. Tester, for his remarks. I thank him more so for his hard work, as ranking member, over the last 2 years with me, as chairman, and for bringing us to the point at which we are today. Jon and I are very…

I yield back all time. The PRESIDING OFFICER. All time is yielded back. The question is, Will the Senate advise and consent to the Wilkie nomination?

there are people out there who are getting ready to privatize things.

We are not interested in privatizing Social Security or the Veterans, either one.

But for a few. And that is what worries me a lot about it: if it is a nationally mandated program and a mandatory participation program.

Is it a mandatory participation program?

I hope as Commissioner of the IRS you will work towards completing that task to moving towards simplification of the system.

I have paid taxes since April 15, 1959, when I made $40 a week as a surveyor's assistant.