Kristi Noem actually said...

"Yes, we absolutely have an emergency situation in the Black Hills, so communities that live amongst these dead and dying trees are a lightning strike away from wiping out an entire town or population."

"Would you agree that reducing the impact to producers should be a priority?"

"Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate it."

"We have had a lot of discussion here today about lack of reporting, unwillingness to report incidents as they happen..."