Tom Vilsack

This isn't just about human services. It isn't just about the moral responsibility we have. It is actually good economics in tough times.

The upcoming effort to reauthorize the Child Nutrition Program is a major opportunity for us to advance a number of key priorities for our children.

We have got to be honest with ourselves and honest what that really means.

I think it is incumbent upon us to work with schools to create standards that basically define the nutritional value of things that will be sold.

The problems that we face and are challenged today to address through this reauthorization process are significant and critical to the future of this country.

Fortunately, the Congress had the wisdom to include in the Recovery and Reinvestment Act more resources for SNAP, more resources for food assistance.

We obviously would work with Congress if you direct that this is something that is a priority and that you believe that it needs to be expanded and you provide us the legislative authority.

If we fail to address this issue aggressively now, we will clearly, clearly pay for it in significant increases in health care expenditures in the future.

This report highlights the seriousness of the child nutrition bill that lies before us.

I will tell you, just from a USDA perspective, we are encouraged by the number of grants, loans, business activity in our rural development portfolios.

There are significant opportunities for landowners in a cap-and-trade program that can help revitalize rural America.

While farmers and ranchers and forest land owners have a lot at stake if we fail to act, they have much to gain if we address climate change quickly and wisely.

The cost of inaction will have a significant effect on our farmers, ranchers and rural communities.

Americans must move away from polarization and work towards a shared vision--a vision that conserves our forests and the vital resources important to our survival while wisely respecting the need for a forest economy that creates jobs and…

I joined with Senator Lugar and 10 other Senators in a letter supporting the work of these two offices recently.

We think the Farm Bill definition of biomass is a good one.

The production of low carbon energy from biomass, anaerobic digesters and wind will provide landowners with new sources of revenue.

President Obama believes it is important that America show international leadership on climate change.

To Senator Nelson's comments, part of the capacity of a market to work is that people have confidence in the market.

I think that is true.

Climate change, I believe, is one of the great challenges facing the United States and the world.

We obviously recognize the role that the Senate is going to play in the crafting of this proposal.

I would agree that it is in the long-term best interest of farmers and ranchers in this Country to have robust trading opportunities globally.

I think Senator Roberts said 40 million. I am not willing to concede that that necessarily will take cropland and will necessarily result in acre for acre reduction of feed and therefore increase costs for livestock producers.

Saving Vermont's and New England's dairy industry will require both immediate action and long-term reforms.