Tom Vilsack

It is clear to us that they--yes, it's clear to us that they ought to be regionalizing their bans and not doing a blanket ban.

We're in a better place today than we were when this began.

I have been interested in the testimony that Commissioner Hamburg has provided in which she has indicated a desire also to stay within the statutory guidelines.

It is clear to us that they ought to be regionalizing their bans and not doing a blanket ban.

The President's budget strengthens the middle class and helps America's hard-working families get ahead in a time of relentless economic and technological change.

Seventy-five percent of our rental units could potentially get out of the program without access to vouchers

The budget presented to you will achieve the President's vision for the middle class by restoring the link between hard work and opportunity.

This is a very complicated set of circumstances here.

I believe that the future is bright for America and in particular for rural Americans.

I think we have been very specific with EPA, expressing concerns about some of the definitions and the clarity of those definitions.

I suppose I should answer no. But let me just say this. Whatever you all deem as appropriate, we will try to use in the most efficient and effective way to reach as many people as possible.

These reforms will make the program less costly to the taxpayer while still maintaining a quality safety net for farmers.

You need to be careful about the application of sequester on both the defense and nondefense segments.

It is a serious one.

I don't think you are going to be disappointed, Congressman, in terms of our commitment to CRP.

We need to do a better job of at USDA to ensure that states take this program seriously.

It is 3.6 million folks who would not need SNAP or as much SNAP if the minimum wage were increased.

we want to help people move towards self-sufficiency the right way by helping them to secure and maintain jobs.

We want to work with states in a collaborative effort.

One of the great things about getting the Farm Bill done was that we were able to resume our trade promotion programs.

If you want to talk about conservation, you cannot talk about conservation and not talk about Tom Harkin in the same sentence.

I can assure you that we are going to take compliance and the integrity of these programs very seriously.

We have instructed folks to get this established this year. We anticipate it gets done this year.

There is enormous opportunity for expanded agricultural trade with these two trade agreements.

It is important to note that this is in a sense effective the day the President signed the Farm Bill.