Chellie Pingree

There was an attempt on this committee that cares deeply about the environment to reduce our plastic use

Thank you very much, Mr. Joyce.

The President's budget included $161 million funding increase to support multiagency initiative to integrate science-based tools into conservation planning.

I think one small challenge will be making sure people are aware of it and can access it.

Thank you to everybody on the team here for persisting in answering all of our questions.

Better resourced communities shouldn't be the only ones who have access to rural development programs.

Mine is 49th in the country in access and 49th in the country for speed.

I do hope that USDA can work closely with the Department of Defense to push them to take responsibility for that and the cleanup.

The Dairy Indemnity Payment Program gives a little bit of short-term relief, but is not sufficient to address the full scope of the problem.

Unfortunately, my State of Maine has been a little bit ahead of the curve when it comes to identifying and responding to the emerging threat of PFAS contamination.

The safety of workers in meat-packing plants is certainly something I and many others have been concerned about during the pandemic.

I appreciate the question by Representative Fortenberry, the ranking member.

Great. Well, can you commit that you will make this a top priority? I just think it is important to resolve this for once and for all.

I really appreciate your deep level of understanding of engaging farmers and the importance of being our partners in climate change.

I am sure it is something that he strongly supports.

I really appreciate the work that you are doing to help our next generation of farmers.

Given that states are suffering such revenue shortfalls, it is a very contentious issue in Congress about whether we will give them more funding.

I have been a long-time supporter of research. I am a huge fan of cooperative extension.

I've been pushing for NRCS to adopt composting as a conservation practice for several years now.

I certainly can supply more info about the situation in Maine, because we are clear about more industrial forest.

This is an 'unprecedented year.' California just had its warmest August on record.

What changes will you make in the next round of the program to ensure that the food boxes are better complementing these existing partnerships?

I hope that progress can be made in that, given that there are now more contracts.

Thank you for holding this hearing. It has been a great opportunity to hear how this program has been working.

We have heard a lot about that not being followed.