Maxine Waters

But do we want to shut down the Export-Import Bank because we have a person or a few persons who have acted improperly? I don't think so.

I am convinced of the high performance, the excellent default rate, the support for both large and small businesses.

I have tremendous support from the California Chamber of Commerce.

Don't let American jobs go overseas. Keep the playing field level for American businesses. Reauthorize the Ex-Im Bank.

This business of talking about this very important institution to be closed down for all of these phony reasons really is something that I cannot take seriously and the American public cannot take seriously.

Does anyone believe that these individual instances of corruption by bad actors point to systemic corruption throughout the Congress? And I also wonder if any Republican Members support shutting the House down. I don't think so.

I think I should use this time to get a little mean and to talk about the way that this Bank has been unfairly attacked.

We have to change this. We have to do something about it.

I am highly skeptical that any of the issues or solutions we will consider today can be described as a serious effort to do so.

That is substantial.

I would like to focus on how this decision will benefit first-time home buyers, low- and moderate-income families, and minorities.

I would like to take a moment to remind them that when the private sector virtually left our struggling housing market during the worst of the crisis, the FHA stepped up and provided the liquidity that kept it afloat.

I am very concerned about any proposed reduction in the committee's 2015 budget.

A large part of our society fits into that category. And they deserve to be homeowners if, in fact, they are hardworking citizens who pay their bills, who have not had any problems.

In the richest country in the world, it is unconscionable that there are 7.1 million American households for whom safe and decent housing is neither affordable nor available.

When we take a look at those that we would lend to with the 3 percent down, are we not talking about people who have shown that they pay their bills every month, they have basically good credit, they have not defaulted, they don't have any…

When FHFA lowered the downpayment requirements, it appropriately balanced safeguards to protect the taxpayer with expanded credits for eligible borrowers.

There are 7.1 million American households for whom safe and decent housing is neither affordable nor available, a situation made worse due to Republican attacks on public housing and voucher programs.

We know that you are the right person for that position.

If we close the GSEs without putting in place a viable alternative, as my Republican colleagues would do, we would likely reenter a recession.

If anybody on the opposite side of the aisle tries anything with you, I will take them on.

When there was a need for tough negotiations, Barney Frank turned to Mel Watt.

I could count on him as the one person who had read every line of a bill.

I must admit, I was somewhat torn when Mr. Watt received this appointment.

The gentleman knows that he was involved in the negotiation for placing that in the omnibus bill. I have raised a question with you, even though you are saying you had nothing to do with----