I will coordinate with other agencies, including Commerce and Labor and Energy, whose programs also affect small business.

If the SBA can help these small businesses grow and prosper, jobs will be created and America will be able to compete anywhere in the world.

I believe that President Obama's nominee, Karen Mills, has the right mix of experience, education, passion, and a willingness to serve.

I want to thank Senator Cardin, who will be with us later this morning.

I have a long history of being deeply involved in small business.

I have already indicated to Senator Snowe that I will be an original co-sponsor to her bill.

These are problems we can fix.

I strongly believe that the SBA Administrator should have a seat at the table on important economic and financial matters in the Administration.

I strongly support mending, not ending, the program.

I hope that we can work out a bipartisan solution to access to health care for the country.

I strongly urge Ms. Mills to revisit this decision and allow small businesses that have majority investment by venture capital firms to be eligible to compete again in the SBIR program.

I think this is one of the most important nominations that our President has made.

And the reason I pursue this line of questioning, and I do have two more brief questions, is because I have just completed with the good support of this Committee a 9-month investigation.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I want to call to your attention that this industry is being threatened by regulations that refuse to treat them in a different way than these large cargo vehicles.

So I bring it to you because if FEMA is going to stay in Homeland Security, then we have to have faith that the people running Homeland Security will give FEMA the attention it needs.

But the point is this, that our report also showed that the person who held your job before--I think it was Deputy Secretary Michael Jackson, is that correct?

to dedicate a portion of the offshore oil and gas revenues