Political Quotes

“I would note that as to the gentleman from Ohio's (Mr. LaTourette) district, in all of 2004, he had 185 7(a) loans totaling about $30,400,000. For 2005, year to date, it is 319 loans totaling nearly $29 million in loans. So it just amazes me that the gentleman from Ohio would say that we need to spend $79 million worth of taxpayers' money. Last year, I led the fight to add in $79 million for the 7(a) program. I was under the assumption that it was absolutely necessary to have the Federal Government subsidize small business people who wanted to get a loan. And I took a look at this, and I said what kind of a message does this send? There is no legal or constitutional right to have loans subsidized by the taxpayers of this country for people to get involved in businesses. And, in fact, that sends the wrong messages. People getting involved in business should realize that it is a free enterprise system that works. And what we did last year was something epochal; 7(a) loan program last year for the first time did not depend upon a government handout. Small business people do not need government handouts to start businesses. My dad was in the grocery store business. He was in the restaurant business. He would have never thought about applying for a loan that was subsidized by taxpayers. And so what happened last year, the subsidy was taken away. Taxpayers saved $80 million that was spent in areas, other areas, as important as it is.…”