Michelle Lujan Grisham

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I want to thank the panel for being here today.

Thank you, Madam Chair, and I share my congratulations with the Chairwoman and the Ranking Member, as my colleagues have, and am delighted to be here.

I am going to reclaim my time.

I can tell you that on $4.50 a day, I was pushed towards the kinds of simple carbohydrates that give you a full belly, but aren't nutritionally sound and completely inappropriate; rice, pasta, ramen.

This committee really can do something and should do something.

And I am encouraging the subcommittee and the full committee to ensure that we have the opportunity to do that.

I wish that wasn't the case. I wish none of us had those real harmful criminal activities or issues that we have to deal with in our communities.

And my hope in every hearing, but particularly these kind of hearings, where the stakes are so high, that we do everything in our power to do things that we can do right now.

I mean I am hearing--there is some evidence that would suggest that the hedges and speculation have some effect to what--and I want to understand exactly----

And I am also wondering whether or not that is affecting your analysis on commodity markets just in general in the context of your examination of that rulemaking.

A dollar reduction in the price of oil reduces New Mexico's state revenue from this direct source by $7.5 million.

I am concerned with the oil prices which have dropped more than 50 percent since last June.

The Chairman is always very patient with me. I am always over time, and I am going to take you up on your offer to come meet with me.

The State of New Mexico receives about $2 billion in direct revenue each year from energy taxes and royalties.

I know I am out of time, and anything else that we can do to support you to do that oversight, you can count on my office.

We don't want to see any of these pilots, or these initiatives, cause more hunger in the state.

I think that you have done an outstanding job investing in the state, and really taking a look.

Our unemployment is much higher than the national average.

New Mexico still ranks last. We are the worst for child hunger.

Thank you for coming to New Mexico, and meeting with me, and our farmers and ranchers.

I would really encourage you to do that. And I appreciate that you're trying to answer. And I want to make sure that, with my limited time, I get as much out as possible.

And I also want to thank you for tackling a very difficult challenge often in this committee.

Given our large Hispanic population, which continues to be a real challenge across the country, can--Ms. Tavenner, can you talk to me a little bit about what you're doing better about outreach and transparency and communication, education.

I appreciate both the leadership of the chairman and the ranking member to assure that we get feedback.

I might disagree with some of my colleagues, that we can do everything in our power, and those hostile, those negative, those who intend us harm and intend to access that information for their own gain will find ways to do that.