More than 75 percent of the Agriculture Committee's budget goes to nutrition programs, which serve a broad range of people throughout our country.

We will be looking at how programs use their funds, how effectively they serve their stakeholders, and whether there is duplication or waste that can be eliminated.

I also want to thank my good friend Ranking Member Baca in joining me in holding this hearing today.

I plan to look into the program more to see how we can stop abuse and fraud in the program.

I look forward to learning how AMS is administering Section 32 funds which have supported agricultural commodities like fruits, vegetables, and meats, which are not typically covered by mandatory price supports.

I look forward to hearing your insightful testimony.

As we approach the next farm bill, it is imperative that we hear directly from the Department so we can fully understand from your firsthand experience what is working and what is not working.

It is well known that a certain degree of comity and bipartisanship exists here on the Agriculture Committee.

Just recently, on May 24, 2011, the United States imposed sanctions on Venezuela's state-owned oil company, the PDVSA, for assisting Iran in its production of gasoline and petroleum production.

I echo your sentiments that it is failed foreign policy, failed economic policy, and failure with our friends down in Latin America.

This is a no-brainer. We really need to get on with these free trade agreements.