Ed Markey: “This amendment will make it very difficult for millions of Americans and for thousands of smaller stores across the…”

“This amendment will make it very difficult for millions of Americans and for thousands of smaller stores across the country to be able to fully participate in the program. It will put a limit on how ultimately successful and democratic the access and opportunities are to this funding that we are creating in this legislation. So I would urge a ``no'' vote on the Burgess amendment so that those smaller Main Street hardware stores all across the country will have the same ability to have it known that their stores are available to participate in the Home Star program in the same way we can be sure that Lowe's and Home Depot are using their incredible advertising capacities to let the public know that they can go there as well. I think if we have that balance this program will be very successful. With that, I urge the Committee of the Whole to vote ``no'' on the Burgess amendment.”