Mike Conaway

With billions of taxpayer dollars at stake, it is critical that DOD take the necessary actions to ensure that the ERPs are successfully implemented.

Yet, GAO has reported over the years 'that the Department has not effectively employed acquisition management controls to help ensure the ERPs deliver the promised capabilities on time and within budget.'

We firmly believe that rigorous cost-benefit analysis creates better rules.

Improving financial management controls is critical to safeguarding taxpayer dollars and preventing waste, fraud, and abuse.

Federal crop insurance must be built upon, or it will wither and die because it will fall behind producer needs.

May I inquire as to how much time is remaining on both sides. The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Texas has 3\1/2\ minutes. The gentleman from California has 2\1/4\ minutes.

I claim the time in opposition. The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Texas is recognized for 5 minutes.

I want to thank the chairman for the colloquy and urge adoption of the underlying NDAA.

Rural electric cooperatives are not financial entities, and therefore should not be overburdened by new regulation or associated costs as if we were financial entities.

If CFC is unnecessarily swept up in onerous new margining and clearing requirements, electric cooperatives will likely have to pay higher rates and fees on their loans, and those costs will ultimately be passed on to rural consumers.

A margin requirement imposed upon end-users would subject them to significant cash burdens, cash that would otherwise be put to work in the economy.

We simply can't afford sweeping new regulations that are poorly vetted, that impose substantial costs that outweigh the benefits for our financial system and our economy.

Title VII isn't just about financial firms--it has the potential to impact every segment of our economy, from farmers and ranchers, to manufacturers and energy companies, to health care and technology.

While it was not ultimately the legislation that became law, I believe the same principles should be applied as we exercise our oversight responsibilities over implementation of Dodd-Frank.

Financial reform must not come at the expense of America's energy and commodity producers, consumers, and ultimately, the entire U.S. economy.

Rushing to implement this Act could result in unintended consequences that could actually harm or hinder the marketplace.

It seems to me you are putting the cart before the horse, and this is a classic ready, fire, aim approach.

It is this kind of investment that can spur tremendous economic growth throughout rural America.

Bridging the broadband divide could send jobs to rural America, not overseas.

The current economic climate has placed acute burdens on rural America from the small businesses in each of our communities to the farmers and ranchers working every daylight hour.

How do we protect the Council from untoward influence by Members of Congress?

If we have disagreements as to how we get to where we want to get to, it is not because we are callous and heartless and insensitive to the heartbreaks that these three families have suffered as a result of these tragedies, but it will be…

Some of us would respectfully disagree with the fact that government could run markets that way over the long term.

So I get it right, why in the face of, what all of you would agree is an oversupply of production, are there incentives?

Have you ever seen a government-mandated supply system in any market, not milk, actually work to the benefit of the producers and the consumers?