David Rouzer

What areas in particular do you think we need a real shot in the arm? Is there a specific area of research in terms of priorities and prioritizing funding where you think we really need to focus?

The Secretary has often said that agriculture on its own might not be able to pass an agreement, but it certainly can prevent one from passing Congress.

Tell me where we are with our research programs, any highlights that we have.

Tobacco would be very, very supportive of TPP if one simple thing happened, and that was it was no longer excluded from the investor-state dispute settlement.

By investing in collaboration--which you all did as part of the farm bill when you did the insect and disease language, that requires collaboration--that type of approach, over the long-term, will win.

I grew up in the shadow of the Cold War as a kid, and I always thought Armageddon was going to be nuclear weapons and missiles, et cetera. I have come to believe it is going to be every individual is suing every other individual.

If we are going to get that habitat back, we have to incentivize restoration, and so voluntary conservation becomes very, very important.

What is your greatest challenge, and how can we, as a Committee, be helpful to you?

Good enforcement is always the best deterrent.

I want to follow up, too, on a couple of the comments that you had made before the House Appropriations Subcommittee.

I appreciate you being here today and your willingness to have this discourse with us.

I am familiar with the term food desert, and the consequences of that.

We face tremendous pest and disease pressures, which are being effectively managed by the hardworking men and women of USDA and DHS.

Congress has a role to play in ensuring that the agencies have the tools they need to do this important work.

This hearing is the third in a series of hearings highlighting the crucial intersection of agriculture and our national security.

I was disappointed to learn that this recommendation, along with a prior lumber determination by the Department of Energy, was made without consultation with the USDA.

Thank you, Mr. Secretary, thank you very much for being here, and I also want to quickly thank you for your help in working with us on lean meats as it related to the Dietary Guidelines.

When is the United States Government--when are we going to fight back as it relates to domestic supports that are provided in other countries?

I'm concerned that an outbreak of FMD in the United States would have catastrophic consequences for the multi-billion dollar livestock industry, delivering a very harsh economic effect that would be felt far beyond animal agriculture.

Now I agree with the sentiment expressed by Chairman Conaway last November in the first of the series of hearings on American agriculture and national security, that, in fact, our national security and agriculture are very closely…

I would hope that by the next time we meet, and I know we will, that we could see much more progress on this.

This is a commonsense amendment that has been put forward in order to address an onerous, unnecessary rule. My question is: What are we going to try to regulate next--fireplaces? It is next on the list, it seems to me. I ask for the…

I have an amendment at the desk. The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is as follows: At the end of the bill, add the following: TITLE __--OTHER MATTERS SEC. ____. REPEAL OF RULE FOR NEW…

I strongly urge you to reject the dangerous arguments made by those seeking an end to in-kind food aid and cargo preference and continue the steadfast, bipartisan support the United States Merchant Marine has enjoyed from Congress for over…

Given the interconnectedness of our maritime security and food aid programs, undermining one ultimately jeopardizes both.