Heidi Heitkamp

I want to associate myself with the remarks of Senator Thune, who talked about the importance to really have flexibility as we implement the next Farm Bill.

Terrific. Thank you, and I thank my colleagues who probably went out for a cup of coffee or something else, who stood ahead of me in line.

I think there is a way that we can rectify that by lowering the standard but still having the deterrent.

If I did that, I would be in jail. If I did that, I would be investigated criminally.

I want to make sure that when you are making these appointments and looking at this that you find people with rural experience.

I want your commitment that you will make this one of your top priorities if you are confirmed.

But, why would we abuse this person, who has given so much to our country and so much to border protection?

Now, that is something that is ridiculous, but it affects morale.

I want to see that threat assessment and that plan reflect the ideas that you have.

I still think it would be a mistake to trade sanctions for cooperation in the fight against ISIS.

We want China to continue to drive really hard bargains.

I think the 500-pound gorilla that we have not talked about yet in this Committee hearing is: Is there a political will to continue to subsidize the same way we subsidize crop insurance for farmers?

Well, I think that was the choice they made in Biggert-Waters, but now you see we are all here screaming that did not work.

Winter is coming, but in North Dakota, spring is coming.

I think that this discussion is so important to the future of our country. How do we take fact-based analysis, science-based analysis?

I want to wage my strong opposition to taking babies away from their mothers.

That is a bad visual.

We need to rethink all of border security.

They do not want this wall.

Let us really evaluate this.

In fact, we know that the murder rates per capita are the highest in these countries, especially El Salvador.

We have been left behind far too often.

We need a Secretary who is going to fight for Indian Country.

This is our opportunity and if we do not take it to stand together and fight for resources, we are going to fall further and further behind.

Are you going to fight for Indian Country in the budget process?