"Rural communities are often the first to feel the effects of an economic downturn and the last to see the impacts of an improving economy."
"We should be making more investments in rural America, not less."
"We need to strengthen the tools available to extend high-speed Internet to every corner of the country."
"It is unacceptable that there are small towns that cannot afford to modernize their water systems to provide clean drinking water."
"We do not have a middle class unless we make things and grow things."
"The economic benefit is twofold--new markets for our farmers, and new jobs and manufacturing opportunities for our businesses."
"The popular Rural Energy for America Program, known as REAP, helps producers and businesses lower their utility bills."
"There is bipartisan concern about making sure we are not cutting back on significant things like rural water infrastructure or small business."
"I would like to talk about broadband, which is a passion of mine."
"If we do not fix that we are not going to see the quality of life that we want in our rural communities."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Thank you to each of you for your excellent testimony."
"I wondered if you could talk a little bit more about the REAP program, and the fact that it is consistently oversubscribed."