Ben Cardin

I am proud to work with you on this bill.

Mr. Chairman, let me just agree with your observation about the work of this committee, bipartisan, on behalf of small business.

The bottom line is the 7(a) program is the largest program we have, and the numbers there are unacceptable.

I'm concerned about the Administration's efforts to cut the SBA budget.

I applaud your leadership on behalf of small businesses in America.

I want to drill down a little bit on a challenge, especially in those small businesses that need loans under $250,000 in which women and minorities are finding it very challenging to get financing.

I think the micro-loan program has been very successful.

We want to make sure that it is an inclusive operation, giving opportunities for minority businesses, small businesses, to participate.

I want to know what efforts and services you use in order to reach out to minority businesses as part of OPIC's function.

I strongly support OPIC's functions. We have many Maryland companies that have benefited by it.

The Chesapeake Bay, obviously, is a matter of major concern.

I agree we should be doing these reauthorizations every 2 years in order to make sure that the authorizations are contemporary with need.

I am proud of the impact this will have on the State of Maryland.

It is certainly bipartisan, and it is focused on clean, safe water for our Nation, advancing water infrastructure for both public health and our economy.

This was once a habitable island that had gotten down to about five acres. It is now being restored to thousands of acres.

Rarely is this reported, which points out another problem.

I think this is very important, your bill.

Just to thank our witnesses and to point out the challenges we have. You could do everything right and you still can get attacked.

It will be interesting to see how that works, because we could look at that at the national level.

I just hope you would follow up on what is happening in Maryland.

The 2017 National Defense Authorization Act included language that this Committee had reported out, that required the SBA and the Department of Homeland Security to collaborate on cyber strategies for small businesses.

We recognize that the small business community is the driving force for our economy.

The bill also required the two agencies to report back to our two authorizing committees with a strategy on how they are going to deal with cybersecurity.

I authored a report in January that talked about Mr. Putin's designs in regards to our democratic institutions.

I think the co-op is an excellent suggestion.