Tim Walz

veterans' care is a zero-sum proposition. If one veteran doesn't receive the care that they are entitled to and the best quality, then it is a failure.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And thank you all for your testimony.

the Washington State Delegation, in a bipartisan manner, unanimously sent a letter and said the system works, don't mess up the system, just address it so that we have a safeguard in there in case this situation arises.

Well, again, I thank the Chairman and our witnesses.

I would also make the case that I do think we need to learn from what happened in Washington, but I would caution us not to upset a very good and functional system over that incident.

I fully expect this cross-section of views will promote a vigorous debate, and that is what we are here to do.

Additionally, it is essential that any changes to the export inspections regime do not upset the existing process, which is both efficient and meets the needs of growers, producers, and distributors, as well as customers.

As the House Committee on Agriculture considers reauthorization of expiring provisions of the United States Grain Standards Act (GSA) in the coming weeks, we respectfully request that any legislation considered by the Committee maintains…

It must be the gold standard as it has always been.

I am very uncomfortable with the proposal that's been put forward.

My only glimmer of optimism, Mr. Gibson, is my personal faith in you.

I can't stress enough, if it falls short in any way of achieving these things, the difficulty on those dollars are going to be even more.

I do agree that the importance of this weapon system as to our airpower and our national security strategy is pretty clear to everyone.

The VA can't achieve its mission of providing the highest quality care to our veterans if we have a culture of fear.

I want to express my sincere appreciation to you and your team, and to those folks out in those FSA offices in the country.

I am very proud of the work we did on the farm bill.

I do think I associate with the gentleman, we are very proud of the crop insurance program and it seems to be working the way we kind of intended.

This could very well have profound impacts, which I think it will; but it also has the potential to show how democracy should work correctly.

And that leads me to having you here. I think this is an incredibly important panel.

And there better be some soul searching on both sides of the aisle on this, as to let the science and the research drive us to come up with conclusions that work.

Yes, it is the 800 pound gorilla in the room, but the science and the preponderance of the evidence on this seems to warrant where we are headed.

the issue of congressional, prerogative and privilege, we are together on this. We want it. We need it.

This idea of moving towards solutions--and it is not that we will ever going to stop having accountability.

It truly is one of the greatest honors that I have experienced in my life.

I believe this is a unique opportunity for transformational change, and this window will close over a certain amount of time.