Mike Conaway

America's farmers and ranchers are the most productive in the world.

It is imperative that we work to reduce and eliminate international barriers to trade.

I would argue that this takes us backwards, because a one-size-fits-all policy out of Washington, D.C., is best regulated at the state and local level.

Farmers respond to carrots not the stick. If you give us the tools to achieve improved water quality, we will be receptive to that and work together.

It is appalling the agencies could assert that it will not have a 'significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.'

I'm fearful the proposed rule, if finalized without substantial change, will result in cattle grazing becoming a discharge activity subject to legal liability under the Clean Water Act.

We need to demand more of ourselves to get this right. It is a daunting task.

Nothing could be further from the truth. We wouldn't have asked you here today to ask for your solutions and your insights if that were the case.

This government is ill suited to do what you do, to try to even remotely do it.

Encouraging work is good for both recipients and taxpayers.

SNAP does not operate in a vacuum. It should not be expected to carry the entire load and provide all solutions for the most vulnerable.

We applaud the Congress for upholding SNAP in the 2014 Farm Bill and for investing in new, innovative demonstration projects on both childhood hunger and SNAP employment and training.

Understanding SNAP's interaction with these organizations will help to maximize the effectiveness of all organizations involved.

You know, the freest country in the world with the most opportunity, and we are talking about poverty.

I believe there is a role for SNAP, but we need to have a complete, clear understanding of its mission and purpose.

We can all agree that no one ought to go hungry in America, and SNAP is essential in protecting the most vulnerable citizens during tough times. For many it is a vital lifeline to keeping food on the table.

While we may not see eye-to-eye on all of the details, the proposals meaningfully move the needle in the right direction.

To administratively unravel what was agreed to in the legislative process would be a breach of the agreement we all worked hard together to reach.

I maintain that farmers are the best conservationists. They know their land and they know better than you or I how to keep it productive.

Farmers were not meant to have to ask permission to exclude qualifying yields. The right is the producer's and it became the producer's right on the day the farm bill became law.

Fully implementing the farm bill in a timely way not only fulfills a pledge to farmers and ranchers, but it honors the work that the Secretary did to help the farm bill happen.

I maintain that farmers are our best conservationists.

This provision as interpreted by the Department, along with the EPA's new waters of the U.S. regulation, are just two examples of why farmers and ranchers are scared to death about the regulatory overreach of this Administration.

I did misunderstand you. I thought you were saying I was disqualified from offering an amendment like this because I simply represent west Texas, which is the leading oil and gas producer in our country. So if I misunderstood you, I will…

I have an amendment at the desk. The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will report the amendment. The Clerk read as follows: At the end of the bill (before the short title) insert the following: Sec. __. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise…