A republic, Madam, if you can keep it.

Through a bipartisan effort led by Representatives Glenn Thompson and Katherine Clark, this committee unanimously approved legislation to strengthen CTE.

With all due respect to the two gentlemen, I don't think they really related to you how bad it is on our dairy farms.

As cochair of the Career and Technical Education Caucus, I mean, I share your passion. I know how important that is.

We will make meaningful work requirement changes, but none of us intend to cut SNAP.

It's great to see all of you here. We look forward to your comments and very much appreciate the time that you've taken on this Columbus Day to be with us as we consider the issues that are facing our country and ag for the 2018 Farm Bill.

obviously there are so many different approaches to make sure that we maintain dairy security, which is good for Americans, and nutritious; but, obviously, making sure we are taking care of our farm families, who are working so hard.

Your leadership, with the language to change the provisions in the child nutrition bill on school milk have been very, very important.

I share that same passion here and hope to discuss and explore ways to couple services with employment and training to ensure our work-capable SNAP recipients move to a sustainable point of self-reliance.

We did include in legislation... allowing our schools to seek a waiver to be able to serve and sell milk with fat in it.

I, personally, have a Congressional district so rural and poverty so high, they feed them dinner before they send them home.

Good afternoon, everyone. I'm Congressman G.T. Thompson.