We have got to figure out ways to create more opportunity in rural areas.

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

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I want to thank once again, Chairwoman Finkenauer for her leadership and fighting to renew that credit.

Clean energy is a real opportunity to stimulate economic growth in our rural communities.

As the Congresswoman from Iowa's First Congressional District, I know how important it is that we invest in clean energy and renewable fuels and how important those are to our economy and our environment.

Small businesses are at the forefront of the clean energy economy and some of this innovation promoting new technologies.

It is more important than ever before to continue to support our clean energy economy.

I want to again thank Chairwoman Finkenauer for taking action to investigate EPA's refinery exemptions which are a severe threat to the clean energy economy in the rural communities.

We should explore new ways to help farmers access the capital they need to not only invest in the land and equipment but offset some production costs when they are first starting out.

I know how important agriculture is to our way of life in Iowa and that farmers are quite literally the backbone of our economy.