The simple truth is, we must make some difficult decisions.

We will scrutinize waste, fraud, and abuse, and look for ways to build on the success the Department has already achieved.

We are starting with comprehensive audits so that we can examine each program within the broader context of farm policy.

I can tell you in these temperatures every chore is that much harder.

That's why I'm so grateful to the men and women who choose farming as a career.

These audits ensure that we are operating from the same base of knowledge.

I really kind of thought we were working on the annual agriculture appropriations bill, with the discretionary money, the programs that are handled on a year-to-year basis, but it seems we are going to debate the farm bill. I guess if that…

Let me ever so briefly say that I oppose the amendment. It, once again, is the process of cutting funding for the Market Access Program, in effect legislating farm policy through the appropriations process. It is not appropriate under…

I move to strike the last word. The CHAIR. The gentleman from Oklahoma is recognized. Mr. DeFAZIO. Madam Chair, aren't you supposed to alternate sides? That was Republican time. The CHAIR. The Chair may alternate sides. Mr. DeFAZIO. I…

I thank the gentlelady for yielding. I too rise in opposition to this amendment. Let's face it. The Wildlife Services plays a critical role in protecting humans from dangers caused by wildlife. The Wildlife Services uses biologically sound…

The Wildlife Services' usual biologically sound and socially acceptable methods to resolve these issues when agriculture and industrial production are harmed by wildlife, or public safety is at risk from wildlife. If you own a pet, you…

I make a point of order against section 743 which begins on page 78, line 24, and ends on page 79, line 2, in that it violates House rule XXI, clause 2, by changing existing law and inserting legislative language in an appropriation bill…

I make a point of order against section 741 which begins on page 78, line 8, and ends on page 78, line 15, in that it violates House rule XXI, clause 2, by changing existing law and inserting legislative language in an appropriation bill…

I make a point of order against section 744 which begins on page 79, line 3, and ends on page 79, line 10, in that it violates House rule XXI, clause 2, by changing existing law and inserting legislative language in an appropriation bill…

I would say, reclaiming my time, that the gentleman is right. This is a dramatic reduction over what had been expected during the farm bill. Yet this $15 million will do tremendous work, and it is allocated on a 65-35 cost basis. Local and…

I move to strike the last word. The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Oklahoma is recognized for 5 minutes.

We believe the proposed regulations are unnecessarily narrow, impose onerous reporting obligations on commercial market participants, and lack the flexibility necessary to ensure that the legitimate hedging activities of corporations who…

We are extremely concerned about the direction taken by the Commodity Trading Futures Commission (``CFTC'') in its proposed rules with respect to bona fide hedging.

I look forward to hearing the testimony of Secretary Vilsack and the views of my colleagues on the state of the farm economy and on the direction of Federal farm policies that could make or break it.

I do believe the Secretary has agriculture's best interests at heart, and I want to work with him to be an advocate for farmers and ranchers both inside the Administration and here in Congress.

Fortunately, promoting American agriculture is simple.

The bottom line is Washington is being met with a critical choice that will have major consequences down the road: We can promote the one piece of good news out there today, or we can pour cold water on it.

The state of the U.S. farm economy is strong.

I want to express my appreciation to first and foremost of course to both Chairmen and both Ranking Members of the two Subcommittees for holding this hearing.

I believe the same principles should be applied as we exercise our oversight responsibilities on implementation of Dodd-Frank.