It is clear that offshore wind energy can be a job and clean energy creator and it presents a real opportunity for transatlantic cooperation.

Virginia became the first State in the Nation to stand offshore wind turbines in Federal waters and our State is expected to be one of the Nation's leaders in terms of megawatts produced.

I am excited to have the opportunity to discuss the positive impact of controlled environment agriculture on our domestic food supply.

I am hopeful that controlled environment agriculture can help increase supply chain resiliency, and decrease dependence on foreign growers.

NLBMDA supports legislation recently introduced in the House of Representatives which would take proactive and meaningful actions to improve the health of our nation's forests.

I am excited to hear from our witnesses about how Congress can support infrastructure policy that protects our forestlands.

In my home of Virginia, we have 16 million acres of forested land and forest-related businesses contribute $156 million to our state's economy each year.

I was thrilled to see USDA announce that applications for these funds would go live July 22nd.

I must acknowledge the raging forest fires bringing devastation to much of the western United States.

The U.S. wood products industry directly employs about one million people and contributes more than $5 billion in state and local taxes.

Our forests--as well as the wood products they support--are critical green infrastructure that help sequester carbon while growing our economy.