This is incredibly important to my region and I appreciate you taking time and effort to bring this congressional hearing to Cowlitz County.

But in the issue of a court case, the eye of the law should be, I would assume, the judicial review.

We have tremendous resources in our area. I'm not just talking about the forests. I'm not just talking about the species. I'm talking about our region as a whole, our community, and yes, healthy forests are part of our DNA.

I believe we can do better. Our wildlife and economy can both be protected.

Absolutely. Let me also speak to, with regards to the areas of forest that have been designated as critical habitat for the last 20 years, do you believe that those areas are healthier today than they were before the designation?

We're kind of coming up to what I think a big part of the reason we're here.

I believe we got down to about 3 million board feet. It was substantial.

I am glad you asked that question, because I wanted to reiterate that it is not that you got out over your skis.

the problem is, in practice, we have seen very different things.

I don't think you all knew what you were doing, and we are bearing the consequences.

You are, by definition, picking winners and losers. And the government shouldn't be in that business.

What I do know is that the fallout resulted in destroyed businesses, bankruptcies, and the loss of livelihoods for folks in my area.

In meeting with some folks--and I will say this is more for the record--I have had a number of folks who were in similar situations in our area who will not--do not want me to use their names or their companies, because they are terrified…

In this 'sweetheart deal' is what comes to mind--and my colleague uses the same term--Rialto was allowed to pay 8 cents, and it is worth repeating, 8 cents on the dollar for $3 billion worth of assets.

I keep hearing different points made in response to questions.

This topic is incredibly important, so important that I am here even though this isn't actually my committee.

This brings me to the point--from your first to final communication with Rialto, the first one that you got, was it a letter saying that you cannot use a lawyer?

the FDIC issued Rialto a 10-year, over $600 million loan at zero percent interest.

To a lot of broken homes in my neck of the woods, you are a villain.

It is like the bully on the playground coming up to the skinny kid and saying, 'Give me your lunch.'

It gives the family savings account a much needed cushion. It is small but it is needed, as folks struggle to find employment and to make their mortgage payments.

This deduction allows the average family that I serve to keep $500 a year in money that they have earned.

I stand firmly behind both principles, which is why I have worked diligently to ensure that folks in Southwest Washington can deduct their state and local sales tax from their Federal income tax.

It is a low cost form of energy that is incredibly efficient and carbonless. It is very renewable.

It should be simple. Let's extend the state and local sales tax deduction for folks in Southwest Washington who have already dutifully paid their taxes.