Debbie Stabenow

We are penny-wise and pound-foolish as we look at various things, where we need to be getting ahead of it in terms of prevention

I have been talking to them in a lot of different conversations over time, and they are looking at the politics and trying to get the best position.

COOL is a landmark law. It empowers consumers to know where their food comes from.

Now is the time to come together to do that.

Simply put, inaction from the Senate is not an option, not when the threat of retaliation is hanging over American agriculture.

I think for everyone listening, you see there is a difference of opinion and we have got to come to the middle so we can act.

I agree with you that we need to act together in a bipartisan way and appreciate your willingness to work together.

That is why today's hearing is so important, and that is why we need all of our colleagues involved in this discussion.

I do also want to just stress that there is a value to the rule of law.

I hope in our budgeting process as we move forward we are actually going to be more rational and come together in a bipartisan way.

I do think as a contrast, Mr. Chairman, that sequestration is exactly the opposite of that.

You can eat your car seat because it is made out of soybeans.

We want to get something done. We have 43 days, and in legislative time that is a long time, if people really want to get things done.

We are in this as a country, and there are things that certainly we do better at the State and local level.

The ATVM program is a very important part of that.

The Building Better Trucks Act would basically build on what we did in 2007.

It was important as we were increasing CAF standards to make sure that the building of those new vehicles was in the United States, not overseas.

The second thing is we would clarify that suppliers can also qualify for the program.

We have 700,000 people nationwide...working as a result of focusing on the supply chain.

The proof will be in the pudding and that we all want to make sure that all the traditional agricultural exemptions and forestry exemptions are in place

We have a lot of work still to implement the farm bill. We look forward to continuing to work with you on that.

I hope we can swiftly confirm Mr. Prieto as General Counsel.

I rise to speak about the Portman- Stabenow amendment. First, I wish to say a word in support of the efforts by Senator Cochran and Senator Wicker. I was a partner with Senator Cochran in the 2014 farm bill. I support their position as it…

I just have to say, we had better all see this as a wakeup call.

We need to do much, much more to shine the light of day on what is happening.