Ed Royce: “traditionally the battle cry for business in America has been ``Get government off our backs.'' However, some…”

“traditionally the battle cry for business in America has been ``Get government off our backs.'' However, some corporations have been publicly demanding less Government interference while quietly seeking millions of taxpayers' dollars to finance their business endeavors overseas. A wealthy corporate executive in a pin-striped suit is not exactly what most people would think of as a typical welfare recipient. However, some Fortune 500 companies are lining up at the public trough to get their share of the millions of dollars being given out through the Federal Government's market access program to subsidize their overseas advertising budget. The numbers are not insignificant. I will share with the Members that since 1985, 1 rac{1}{4} billions of dollars of Federal money has been spent on this program. We are fighting a $5 trillion debt that has dragged our economy to a point where the economic growth is a crawl. Five trillion dollars, and here is 1 rac{1}{4} spent since 1985. Mr. Chairman, we have offered this amendment to eliminate one of the most egregious corporate welfare programs, with the hope that a trend will develop which would further rid the private sector of an intrusive government.”