There were culture industry, there were Culture Committee hearing is 4 hours. If we cant. Is an here . I guess whichever. The meeting will come to order. Ladies and gentlemen, we are at a very historic moment for our nation. Who would have thought of it even as soon as just a few years ago that we would have this golden opportunity to provide electricity that would motor our vehicles but was bringing on some serious questions and serious issues so that we know what it will take to make sure people in this country are well aware and will be able to take advantage and enjoy this movement, this Great Movement we are making to transition from petroleum to electricity. I want to welcome everyone to this hearing especially our witnesses because we are looking to you to tell us what this means. What does it mean for jobs . What is the impact that this will have in Rural America if we do not move and make sure those in Rural America can enjoy and be productive from the move we are making. Im s
Consecrate with your presence the path you desire our lawmakers to take. Lord, kindle in the hearts of our senators the true love of peace and guide them with your wisdom. May the faith they questions with their plips put courage an hopes in their hearts that they may live each day in the spirit of your love. Cleanse them from every thought displeasing to your goodness that with pure hearts, clear minds, and calm hope they may honor you. And, lord, have mercy upon our wartorn world. We pray in your powerful name. Amen. The presiding officer please join me in reciting the pledge of allegiance to the flag. I pledge alonance to the allegiance to the United States of america, one nation under god with liberty and justice for all. Ing officer the clerk will read a communication to the senate. The clerk washington, d. C. , february 29, 20 24, under the provisions of rule 1, paragraph 3 of the rules of the senate i hereby appoint the honorable senator with a warnock. The presiding officer und
After brief opening remarks members will receive testimony from our witness today and the hearing will be open to questions. Good morning once again. Welcome to todays hearing receive testimony from the secretary of agriculture. I think my colleagues participating and secretary bill sec for his time we have a lengthy hearing ahead of us. I will be brief and might remarks nearly three years ive traveled across the country to different farmers, ranchers, foresters, Rural Communities and everyday consumers. Many of our colleagues on both sides of the aisle jointly for those travels. The message we have heard from those folks was very clear. They need a government to work for them, not against them. These men and women have struggled with a fractured supply chain, considerable input cost, relentless inflation, natural disasters, volatile markets and labor shortage each consistently worsened by illconceived halfbaked executive action. What seemingly is a daily occurrence taxpayer dollars be
Because of the popularity of these programs the reality is they are dramatically oversubscribed. New era is four times oversubscribed which i believe shows how important this program is to electric cooperatives across the country and how important it is to see this long overdue investment. Its great to see this and highlight the excitement of the rural coops across the country. Mr. Secretary for new era, can you share an update on how we might see application start to move forward in the process . We are in the process of completing the evaluation of approximately 70 projects of the number that was submitted. As you indicated it was a very Popular Program and oversubscribed. In an effort to determine which of these programs are feasible from a technical standpoint and from a financial standpoint. Once those evaluations are done, those projects will be ranked. And then well basically compare those rankings to the resources available. And begin a more detailed conversation to assert whet
After brief opening remarks members will receive testimony from our witness today and the hearing will be open to questions. Good morning once again. Welcome to todays hearing receive testimony from the secretary of agriculture. I think my colleagues participating and secretary bill sec for his time we have a lengthy hearing ahead of us. I will be brief and might remarks nearly three years ive traveled across the country to different farmers, ranchers, foresters, Rural Communities and everyday consumers. Many of our colleagues on both sides of the aisle jointly for those travels. The message we have heard from those folks was very clear. They need a government to work for them, not against them. These men and women have struggled with a fractured supply chain, considerable input cost, relentless inflation, natural disasters, volatile markets and labor shortage each consistently worsened by illconceived halfbaked executive action. What seemingly is a daily occurrence taxpayer dollars be