I believe he is well qualified for this important position.

That is fine, Madam Chairman. Thank you.

I am here to introduce my friend Sam Hamilton from Starkville, Mississippi, who has been nominated to serve as the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

We must coordinate government activities with private landowners and respect their rights to preserve, and help preserve, lands managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service for the benefit of future generations.

I'm concerned that the budget we are reviewing today might not adequately address some of these most important needs.

It's my hope that you will be able to certify the proposal expeditiously after a careful review of its merits.

Fraud and abuse are draining about $60 billion a year from our healthcare system.

the budget proposes transferring Joint Cargo Aircraft purchased by the Army and the mission associated with those aircraft to the Air Force.

the country is at war, and that there are needs at this time that need to be fulfilled.

I am concerned about your recent comments suggesting that agriculture may benefit from cap-and-trade offsets.

Mr. Secretary, I commend you for working aggressively to implement the 2008 farm bill.

If enacted, cap-and-trade legislation is likely to result in higher costs for fertilizer and other inputs.

Mr. Chairman, it is a pleasure to work with you on this important subcommittee and to join you in welcoming our distinguished witnesses before the subcommittee today.

I also want to highlight the fact that production agriculture views the farm bill as a multi-year commitment from the government.

The Air Force is playing a unique and important role in the defense of our Nation.

I find myself in agreement with the distinguished Senator from Arkansas about the possible implications with changes in the farm bill or administration actions with respect to implementing the farm bill that might make it more and more…

We look forward to hearing your testimony to help us determine how best to allocate the resources that are available to this subcommittee for the Air Force in carrying out your missions.

Thank you very much.

Well, thank you very much. And thank you for your excellent leadership in the roles that you have. We appreciate it.

Well, I compliment you for the initiative and showing flexibility of responding to something that is clearly needed and in our national interest.

Will efforts to reduce your reliance on contractors and hire additional civilian government workers mean an end to 'Public-Private' competitions?

Let me wish you well and assure you that on both sides of the aisle on this subcommittee, we are interested in improving opportunities in education for all students, whatever their financial situation is, or whatever State they come from.

I can remember, we used to in my State, it was kind of you didn't want the Federal Government coming in and taking over our schools, and telling us how to teach and all the rest, but the fact of the matter is, a lot of these programs have…

I couldn't agree with you more, which is why I'm baffled and concerned and stunned about the budget recommendation to underfund the Super Hornet.

We need to be sure we provide them with the funding needed to continue to carry out their missions in the way they have in the past.