We have to help about 95 percent of small and medium sized businesses who are not getting into those international markets, get into those international markets.

I think the Congress has already spoken on that. So hopefully the administration will implement what the Congress has directed with respect to spending because that is the way the Constitution is supposed to work.

I was troubled to see a report from the McClatchy news organization that OMB Director Mulvaney has been lobbying on behalf of one of his former constituents for an exemption from the steel tariffs.

I am really pleased to have been asked by Harold to introduce him.

The Republican tax law was the wrong medicine at the wrong time. The solution is not to take more of it.

We have to flip the formula here and make sure we can get back to helping our businesses get into those international markets.

Unfortunately, the administration has also used these agencies to carry out what, I believe, is an ill-advised trade war.

I hope that the President will heed the warnings of Members of this subcommittee and end the trade war.

Well, thank you. I think this subcommittee agrees with you, which is why we have increased resources for your agencies despite the budget request from the administration, which would have reduced them.

Do I understand you to say definitively that no one in your agency has heard from anyone in the White House or from Mr. Mulvaney with respect to any particular applications?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

The focus of the administration on reducing the trade deficit has been solely on the enacting of tariffs on goods coming into the United States.

DoD continues to be concerned about the negative impact on our key allies regarding the recommended options within the report and recommended targeted tariffs instead of a blanket approach.

I would urge you to do everything you can because small businesses are so critical to increasing trade in this country.

Do you agree that, for example, in Manchester, New Hampshire, surgeries had to be stopped because there was--the quote that I read--rust or blood on the surgical instruments?

I mean, I guess what I want to hear from you is some urgency in tackling this.

the notion that we would cut back after other priorities, like big tax cuts have been provided, is really astonishing to me.

I asked you to look into the adequacy of our foreign partners in addressing insider threats.