Jon Tester

Montanans understand this, they are asking us to do something about it.

The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners supports your efforts of leadership by introducing and moving forward with a Forest Jobs and Recreation Act legislation.

What are we going to have a hearing on next year that isn't being done that they were doing before?

There are 1,935 that are pending right now.

But I really don't know how you can say, and I am not doubting your word, but I don't know how you can say things are getting better if you haven't been able to track backlog.

But to take land in trust for casinos, if they are off reservation, will take traditionally at least two years, if not more.

If it is trust land, who are you negotiating with, because the Federal Government is the landowner?

There has to be a reason for that.

It seems to me that the tribe and the individual or the company that was interested in drilling negotiate a lease between themselves.

Nothing is given up?

What were these folks doing when the backlog was being accrued?

If the land is in trust, who is the landowner?

I assume there are people within the BIA that are dedicated to reviewing these leases and getting them out the door.

But we are talking jobs.

But you do agree that these local banks play a critical role and the capital they provide play a critical role in job creation, and if they are bound up and do not loan money because regulators are putting the boots to them, the economic…

I guess the real question then becomes, what is the definition of a good loan?

I was trying to help you out, Mr. Chairman.

Regardless of how it is structured?

We commend your support of these collaborative efforts, which include conservation, timber, small business and outdoor recreation interests.

Thank you very much.

We just had a hearing last week in a different committee, about 130,000 homeless vets and about 40,000 veterans that have come out of incarceration every year.

Have you really had a chance to sit down and evaluate how these programs are working in rural/frontier America?

I have got concerns about rural and frontier areas where veterans live.

I think that situation is real, and I think it happens a lot.

We have to ensure their efficiency, applicability and responsiveness.