Elizabeth Warren

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for having this hearing today. Thank you all for being here.

As this bill is currently written, it is a giveaway to BDC executives, and it is masquerading as a small business bill.

So I have watched your fees nearly double every 2 years.

In 1980, Congress created these business development companies, or BDCs, as special investment vehicles with the goal of giving small businesses more access to capital.

Financial accountability is essential to ensure that States and districts actually give our teachers the resources they need.

That, frankly, should have been what consumed the time of the Neg Reg committee, with all due respect.

I believe that the Federal Government and the Department of Education has the authority to ensure that there is no diversion.

Congress strengthened the financial accountability provisions in ESSA for a simple reason: to ensure that Federal money is used to meet the purpose of title I.

I appreciate that FERC's permitting process is being reviewed by the Inspector General's Office, and I look forward to seeing the results of this audit.

Pipelines affect people's homes, their property, their communities and they have every right to be heard by the government on issues about pipeline permits.

If you are confirmed will you commit to working with me to address concerns about FERC's responsiveness to the public interest?

Over and over again I have heard from citizens and from elected officials in Massachusetts who are deeply concerned about the impact of these projects on their property and in their communities.

But you will make this a priority?

If confirmed, will you prioritize the completion of this audit?

You personally will make this a priority.

I would increase IDEA funding over 10 years until Congress fully meets this commitment.

Congress has repeatedly failed to meet this commitment.

Congress needs to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

We owe it to them to have their backs in making sure they have the resources they need.

Over the last 10 years, Congress has decimated the budget for NICHD, cutting its purchasing power by nearly 20 percent.

One of the smartest things that the Federal Government can do is invest in research.

We need education for biomedical innovations, the need for increased investments in research in this area.

A U.S. Senator from the State of Massachusetts

Congress should be doing more to address these high drug prices, and we need to be doing it now.

These programs are illegal because Medicare and Medicaid understand that the programs are scams to hide the true cost of the products from the consumers and drive up the cost for all of the taxpayers.