Pat Roberts

He deserves a lot of credit for doing that and I know the department is doing its best to do exactly that.

I am very confident we will be able to proceed with the farm bill.

The State of Kansas and Kansas City University were selected to be the home of the new national bio and agri defense facility.

Thank you for the opportunity to go to Michigan on our first hearing and learn firsthand for so many specialty crop growers just how important this whole endeavor is, not only to Michigan, but all over the country.

It's important for the department to maintain a leadership role in the review process outlined in the coordinated framework.

We must, but everything should be on the table and it should not be disproportionate with other programs.

I think a lot of this, Madam Chairwoman, is the impact of crop insurance and how it fits in and the problems that we have had in regards to crop insurance.

The fact that you pointed out that you have an 8 percent growth in regards to organic right in the middle of a recession I think is remarkable.

Let's just say everything is on the table and then let this Committee do it, because we have a lot of experience on this Committee in regards to what we should be doing, as opposed just to a numbers game.

The Commission acted on July 14 to issue an order to provide some relief from some of the requirements that proved rather nettlesome.

I appreciate your calling this hearing today as we review the nomination of Mr. Mark Wetjen.

Why do we not adopt a policy, instead of taking a Brillo pad to the issue verbally, and simply smother our friends with the milk of human kindness and reason and maybe we would not get into some of these issues that make the press and make…

Are you concerned that what I would describe as regulatory arbitrage could develop and participants may take their business overseas if our rules are too prescriptive?

To suggest that the U.S. sets a gold standard that other markets should follow is nonsense.

Do you believe it is important to have sufficient data about the swaps market and reliable economic analysis before adopting any position limits proposal?

Europe has a relative pragmatic approach to reforming derivatives and it offers a terrific opportunity at the expense of the United States.

The Chairman seems to think the United States should set its regulatory policy as tight as possible and our foreign counterparts will simply follow our lead.

there could be better coordination between U.S. regulators and their counterparts abroad

The President issued an Executive Order January 18 in regards to a cost-benefit analysis that should be provided prior to any rulemaking.

Mr. Wetjen, when confirmed, will have a very difficult job ahead of him.

At best, position limits are a cure for a disease that does not exist, or at worst, a placebo for one that does.

I and many of my colleagues have expressed some concern over the CFTC's proposals.

I do not know why we are into a 'he said, she said' or whatever debate or back and forth with Europe.

One year ago today, the President signed the Dodd-Frank Act into law.

Are you aware the State of Missouri, the Show Me State, has enacted a law similar to the proposed GIPSA rule. I also understand the governor called a special session to repeal that law.