one of the effects of near zero short-term interest rates, coupled with surging commodity prices, is that operators and investors in the Midwest are buying up farmland, and they are, bidding up the price

It is a true privilege and an honor to serve as ranking member of this Committee.

The unprecedented depth of knowledge and experience on this Committee this time around, I think it will serve all of agriculture and rural America well.

It is a paradox of enormous irony it seems to me.

It is a true privilege and honor to serve as Ranking Member.

I think we abrogated our responsibility as individual members to set the Medicare reimbursement rates as best we know them, but that is a battle that we lost in the health care reform, and so we have IPAB.

I think it's important that those hospitals not be jeopardized, or the care they deliver be cut off from citizens around the country, including in Kansas.

I was pleased to learn of President Obama's commitment through Executive order to require that Federal agencies ensure that regulations protect our safety, health and environment while promoting economic growth.

Should the IPAB recommend reductions that take funds away from these rural community hospitals, I can assure you Congress will act.

It seems to me that you might want to ask Richard Foster to join that group, to save a lot of talking back and forth.

Most of us were very pleased to hear about the President issuing an Executive order in applying the principles.

Blanche Lincoln in that she always was willing to reach across the aisle, never compromising her principles but trying to get something done.