Tim Walz

Your legislation simply authorizes them to be honored as 'veterans of the Armed Forces' but prohibits the award of any new benefit.

I would like to know a name of which person in the VA was indifferent because I think to paint with a broad brush the number of people at VA that are out there doing a good job.

I wish the distinguished Whip would have waited for answers today, and I do bristle a bit at the idea of indifference.

I look forward to a productive discussion on how we can be certain the Forest Service is doing everything within reason to produce a stronger rural America.

Again, I am really pleased to hear you talking about this commitment on moving towards biofuels.

We can look to the future on biomass and value-added products, at the same time keeping that legacy of outdoor usage.

I would kind of like to hear what you think.

My focus is to ensure that Federal funding for state and private forestry is well-spent.

Congratulations on assuming this. You are the right person for this job, and I am grateful.

You can have your cake and eat it too if we do it right in terms of managing these resources.

I am optimistic, as I said. Again, this is a legacy that is the envy of the world.

I can tell you from being around here, that is an unusual and a very appreciated gesture and it shows his concern.

What are the factors do you think in addition to what the Forest Service is doing that are leading to those changes?

I have been told that sequester is Latin for idiotic governance, and it may be true.

Well, I am grateful for that, and our public land legacy is the envy of the world, so I appreciate the work you are doing, and I yield back.

I think it bodes well for the future on this. I am optimistic, as I said.

I am really pleased to hear you talking about this commitment on moving towards biofuels.

It has been obvious since you came to Congress, you have been a champion of rural issues, rural America, and done it in a positive, visionary way.

The thing I find most interesting is that the forest and timber industry provides about $9 billion in economic impact to the state.

I am very grateful and proud to be serving with you.

A diverse rural economy is the strongest hedge we have against economic downturn and natural disaster.

Thank you not just for being a friend of agriculture but being a friend of rural America.

The private sector input into this is going to be critical.

To get the two of you talking smoothly on the same platform without the ability to reach outside the system is not the way we want to go.

While I am disappointed in how some of this rolled out, I also think putting it in the context of where the private sector is at on this.