John Kerry: “the administration has set up two major pieces of relief for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, totaling $62 billion, but not…”

“the administration has set up two major pieces of relief for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, totaling $62 billion, but not one penny of that $62 billion is designated for small business, even though there are several hundred thousand small businesses that are in need of relief in the region. Only 84 out of some 20,000-plus requests--only 84 requests--for loans or grants have been approved by the Small Business Administration. So this is becoming an incredibly backed-up, serious restraint on the ability of small businesses to get back on their feet in the injured areas. I know Senator Snowe is deeply concerned about it. I know a lot of colleagues are very deeply concerned about this. Is there a way we could try next week to break this out? It has passed 96 to 0 here in the Senate. We desperately need to get this help to those businesses in the communities. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The majority leader.”