John Hoeven

I think it puts pressure on China.

We want reciprocity in our trade with Canada.

I trust that is something that you are going to get--I mean, that is ridiculous, right? And you are going to get that addressed?

What are the major issues left to resolve in terms of getting Canada into an agreement on NAFTA?

We feel strongly that these languages are essential to the identity, well-being, and prosperity of the people of Alaska.

I want to bring up first something you and I have talked about previously, and that is Veterans Affairs (VA) reimbursement for long-term care for our veterans.

It is just such an important responsibility.

How do you make sure the credibility is there so, again, for that small end user that is just trying to manage business risk, he does not feel like these big hedge funds, these big firms, derivatives, and all these different things are…

We need a real commitment that you are willing to work with the locals.

It is to everyone's benefit to streamline the process and get it done.

I think you learn a lot by being there, and the other thing is you will build some relationships that will be helpful.

You know, I am serious about you coming.

I want to invite you to North Dakota, and I hope you will come out and check out our grasslands.

I would ask that you look at that section line case, and obviously we need to get out ahead of the concerns that our ranchers and our grazing associations have regarding prairie dogs.

I do not think we always feel like we have gotten the right kind of response from the Forest Service.

We must prioritize the needs of our Native American communities.

We must work together to find solutions that benefit all parties involved.

I mean, right now our farmers produce the highest-quality, lowest-cost food supply in the world that benefits every single American, every single day.

As you make this change, are you really empowering these small business programs, or are you going to turn it into a big old bureaucracy where you cannot even find somebody that is supposed to help you, let alone actually get the help?

I have always been a big fan of the SBA.

The Federal Government plays an important role even though we rely primarily on the private sector.

Are there things then that we should be doing from a policy standpoint to promote mining those minerals here rather than importing our entire use?

This is a very timely hearing. Thank you for doing it.

We all have to work together because we have to get the energy from where it is produced to where the consumers are.

Madam Chairman, it really is a rubix cube, isn't it?