Heidi Heitkamp

To act boldly and to act directly is absolutely what is essential to bring back that confidence.

I do not always agree with you, but you are known as a big thinker.

Senator Lankford and I just had a hearing yesterday talking about government efficiency.

We are going to be watching very closely the administration of those funds to guarantee that those funds are utilized

We did not just discover this problem. This is a problem that has been ongoing for a lot of years.

I hope we all appreciate how critically important this program is to saving lives.

This is a program that is about saving lives.

It is really important that we not throw out the baby with the bath water... but that we take the information that we have gotten today and change outcomes.

I would argue that the Federal administration of these programs... has led to the confusion and has led to this problem.

We take very seriously this program, and access to this program is essential.

I think it is critically important that instead of waiting for the reauthorization process for the Farm Bill that we start talking about these issues in developing some strategies and techniques.

I think if you go back and take a look, let us talk about supervision. I have a bill that has been supported by a lot of folks on supervision.

I would resist a little bit what you are saying, Rachel, because I am a huge proponent of the Ex-Im Bank.

If you made no mistakes today, you really did not get anything done.

But I do want to make this point, that we have created an atmosphere where a mistake could be catastrophic.

Probably the worst example, in my opinion, is the Department of Homeland Security.

Getting them back on patrol should be our top priority.

When we had the surge at the border of unaccompanied minors, they carry a gun, but they were changing diapers.

I think there are two steps to this process, and the first step is the low-hanging fruit, where we could all sit down, across the ideological spectrum, and say, 'This is crazy.'

I think in the last 2 weeks, we have seen no greater examples of the critical need for a trained, experienced, compassionate, and empathetic Federal workforce.

I think it is really critically important that we all work together to make sure that people who are doing flood recovery are--that is the beginning of the step of the next resiliency step in preparedness.

I want to begin by saying that our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Texas, Florida, the Caribbean, Louisiana, and elsewhere who are currently recovering from the devastation caused by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

It is hardly a time to retract preparedness.

I am obviously very concerned about the President's budget, the Administration's budget.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.