Ben Cardin

The United States' financial sanctions and visa restrictions--rolled out at an unprecedented pace--placed significant pressure on political and economic elites who finance gang leaders and foment the ongoing crises in Haiti.

I want to thank again our four witnesses and thank those that are in attendance for what you do every day to help entrepreneurship in America.

That's why throughout my tenure in Congress I have been laser focused on comprehensive legislation to reauthorize several important programs that support American women-owned small businesses.

We know that America is in great shape when we see the spirit that's in this room.

I want to make sure the resources are fairly distributed in all parts of our country.

Today, we are witnessing an historic rise in women's entrepreneurship under the Biden-Harris Administration.

The entrepreneurial spirit of women has really carried us into an unprecedented growth in small businesses during this period of time.

We have a responsibility as the Chair and Ranking Member of the Small Business Committee to modernize and update and oversight the small business laws of our nation and unfortunately that hasn't been done for a long time.

As Chair of the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, one of my highest priorities is to ensure that our nation taps into the entrepreneurial spirit.

We are taking steps to try to respond to many of the concerns that you have already expressed.

Last month, for example, I introduced the Women's Business Center Improvement Act, which would increase federal support to women's business centers.

We have to be proactive in being there in the first instance, but then when the PRC is taking punitive action against a country because of its geopolitical stance that is consistent with U.S. policy, we certainly do not want them to be…

I have traveled with the chairman to countries in our hemisphere that were hooked into China's debt because there is no other option, they thought.

For the information of the Senate, Members should expect two rollcall votes beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday. ____________________

We are proud to recommend to this Committee, as we did to President Biden, the confirmation of Judge Maddox to fill this vacancy.

Thank you, Chairman Durbin, Ranking Member Graham, Senator Kennedy, Members of the Committee. Thank you.

Senator Van Hollen, and I, thank you very much for scheduling this hearing for Judge Matthew Maddox.

In Maryland, we are looking at wind energy, offshore wind. Absolutely, the work force issues and job training are critically important.

Ellicott City had two 100 year floods within 20 months. So it has been really challenged on how to deal with the increased flooding in that community.

It is going to be an important project for resilience.

It is going to help on economic growth.

It is important that we reauthorize it.

I strongly support the reauthorization of EDA; 2004 has been too long.

It is a beautiful place to visit.

They do not know what the processing time is. We were told one time it was 8 weeks, another time it was 12 weeks.