Tim Walz

Well, thank you, Chairman Roe, for holding this important hearing.

A special thank you to Senator McCain, always a champion for our veterans.

Now it is time to get to work, together, to make some decisions, pass some legislation to ensure our veterans receive the health care they deserve.

However, from listening to our veterans and constituents who are still waiting too long to receive care, we need to make some changes to the Choice Program.

During the hearing, Representative Walz of Minnesota noted the example of a $900,000 Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) grant on a feedlot that led to cleaner water in a nearby trout stream that generates $4 million for the…

I believe in these win-win situations, biofuels has been an absolute American success story.

For many of us in this room, we should feel proud of the last farm bill and the conservation title that was in it that was wildly heralded across the spectrum as being in the right direction.

the people's will comes first, where bipartisanship reigns, and where effectiveness in getting things done is what counts

We should continue to support the voluntary conservation efforts our forest owners make on their lands, and we should continue to support innovation through advanced forest products and fuels.

This is so cheap an investment to put money into our international food aid programs and the investment pays off now in saved lives and in the future in relationships that we simply can't build in any other way. It's soft diplomacy, it's…

Our private forestlands and National Forests provide clean water, clean air, and greatly contribute to our states' economy.

We can't talk about how tools are working and what tools might be needed to address our forest health until the Forest Service has the resources and personnel to fully utilize the tools they already have.

We know how important the farm bill is. All of us have the stories. My district is proud to say it is the ninth largest agricultural district, spread amongst a lot of commodities.

If we are doing CRP in Ohio or Minnesota and maybe the driver is some quail or a few more pheasants or monarch butterflies, that project is helping benefit hypoxia situations in the Gulf and nutrient runoff and things that all Americans…

This is a critically important discussion.

People have to pay attention then.

We have to do a better job of messaging it.

I thank the gentleman from El Paso. I very much appreciate, always, the story and the passion that you have for that great community and look at the leadership that comes out of there. I certainly know in your work for veterans your name…

I know you have been there throughout this whole process, as the number of claims have reached its peak.

I would, first of all, like to thank the chairman for bringing H.R. 609 to the floor, and a very special thank you to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Kelly) for the honor and privilege to learn about this great American. You heard a…

I have no further speakers. I encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 244, as amended. I yield back the balance of my time.

I have no further speakers. I urge support of H.R. 512. I yield back the balance of my time. {time} 1700

I have no additional speakers and I am prepared to close. I would just like to thank the gentleman again for bringing this to our attention, honoring Master Sergeant Abraham's life. Again, I think there is a little lesson here of how we…

I have no further speakers on my side. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 974. I yield back the balance of my time.

Is it possible for us to start getting our mind wrapped around that?