it is really important. You mentioned an issue with the Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contracting Program, and I am concerned that this program has been left open to fraud and abuse.

it is part of our job making sure that the Small Business Administration is working like it should.

We know that Small Business Investment Companies, SBICs program started in 1958. SBICs we know have invested billions across our country creating jobs and creating opportunity all over the country.

So what is your plan to reduce--I am glad to hear before Monday you are planning to do more, but do you have a plan moving forward here to reduce these delays in licensing approval?

I do not want the good work of SBICs and all that they do to actually be threatened simply because SBA seems to be asleep at the wheel in this regard.

The SBIC program has done a lot for places like Northeast Iowa.

Partnering with SBA has allowed AAVIN to make decades worth of investments that have strengthened our local and our national economy.

The topic of today's hearing means a heck of a lot to me.

My bill requires government personnel to conduct outreach to small firms on the Small Business Innovation Research program.

I was really proud to get to pass my first piece of legislation, the Small Business Stimulating Innovation through Procurement Act of 2019.

These programs have given our small businesses the opportunity to participate in Federal research and development.