Americans have never been dependent on a foreign country to produce our food supply, and I hope that we never are.

Thank you, Chairman Davis and Ranking Member DelBene, for the opportunity to address the Subcommittee.

The National Potato Council (NPC) applauds the Committee for holding this important hearing.

Our immigration system is broken and badly in need of repair.

I had an amendment in the 2014 Farm Bill which would establish a permanent subcommittee of the EPA Science Advisory Board to ensure the voice of agriculture was represented in the Agency's decision-making process.

Strong bipartisan support exists in the House and Senate for a legislative fix.

Obviously, as Federal policy-makers, we are here in this Committee hearing room talking about how we in America can better feed those who are hungry.

We are trying to feed people who are hungry. We are trying to give them access to food...

Man, if we ever get to that point, we are truly done.

Is there anything you can think of that we can do to reduce the regulatory burden, and allow your industry to grow even more?

My concern is exactly Mr. Kelly's concern.

I truly appreciate that, and you know what, the USDA has been more than willing to work with my office.