Saxby Chambliss

I would like to join you in welcoming Secretary Vilsack back to our committee.

It is important that Congress reexamine them on a regular basis to make sure they are as effective as possible in serving Americans in need of nutrition assistance.

I have heard from a number of my food banks around my State about the increase for demand of items in the respective food banks.

I would simply ask that when this does hit your desk, and it will be there the day you are sworn in, that you give immediate attention to that and work very closely with the Department of Interior to let us see if we cannot provide some…

It is a significant concern to all of our livestock producers and the implementation process is not going to be easy, but I am sure you are up to that challenge.

The biotech issue, GMO issue with our European friends is always a continuing issue and I have had significant debates with the Russians over their, I think, faults presentation relative to fido sanitary issues on import of chicken…

Thank you very much, Madam Chairman.

Agriculture, the challenge by the turmoil in the economy, has weathered the storm fairly well.

Will you commit to using science-based technology to implement regulations?

While sanitary and fido sanitary standards are vital to protect our country from foreign pests and diseases, many of our trading partners use these standards as barriers from time to time to stop our exports.

Are you folks satisfied with the information that you are getting from the London Exchange on these contracts?

You guys do not toot your horn enough, but I think it is an absolutely correct statement to say that because of the work in part that you all have done at the Commission from an oversight standpoint, as well as what is going on at the SEC…

I have had a serious concern about what a change in position limits will do relative to not just our domestic market, but the reaction that we might have overseas.

Thank you, Madam Chairman, and I would first like to ask that three letters in support of Mr. O'Malia's nominations from Senators Murray, Bingaman and Dorgan to you and I be submitted into the record.

Rather than tasking various regulatory agencies with duplicative functions and confusing market participants, we should seek to ensure an efficient coordination among regulators.

Both Chairman Genzler and Secretary Geithner and I have had conversations about the fact that we need to bring the Europeans on board.

I think we would be a little remiss if on this side we did not recognize the great work that the staff of Senator Harkin has done.

Well thank you very much, Madam Chairman, and boy, it has a great ring to it, Madam Chairman.

Her leadership is going to pick up right where you left off, Tom, and we are not going to miss a beat.

We have always had a bipartisan committee that is going to get even stronger as we go through the final implementation of the current Farm Bill

Madam Chairman, thank you for holding this important hearing and to consider these nominations pending before the Ag Committee.

I appreciate those kind comments. It has been a real pleasure to work with you, Tom.

I fear that in this country you will. I think that the people who will benefit will be the growers in the countries that do not implement such onerous regulations.

Well, we are in an atmosphere, unfortunately, that rather than increasing subsidies, we keep getting shot at from the standpoint of decreasing subsidies.

I hope you are going to be holding many, many more agriculture hearings.