Elijah Cummings

It would be legislative malpractice if we did not bring Mr. Shulman in here to ask him to explain to us.

I'm a big defender of Federal workers, because I think a lot of times they are criticized when they should not be.

I swear to God, I have looked at that video over and over again, and I swear, I do not see the redeeming value.

We can do better. And we will.

We have been able to, I think, straighten out GSA.

I think that we must pause for one moment and give credit where credit is due, to you Mr. Chairman and to this entire committee.

Now, six long years later, 2.5 million transportation workers have been enrolled in the TWIC program and 2.7 million TWIC cards have been printed.

I will do every single thing in my power to make sure--I don't--I hope there is no retaliation--but to protect you, because you are so very, very important.

I want to make that real clear. And I resent anybody saying anything different than that.

The problem with the Republican theory is that Mr. Perez did nothing wrong.

Today's hearing is an unfortunate and highly partisan exercise intended to raise unfounded questions about the reputation of Mr. Perez.

While the overall unemployment rate has dropped to 7.6 percent as of March, the same is not true for the African American unemployment rate which hovers at 13.5 percent.

That while wealth grew for African-Americans as they achieve life advances, that growth is at a considerably lower rate than it is for Whites experiencing the same accomplishments.

Sometimes I think, Ms. Romero, we get caught up, and I have seen this in government in various ways, in a culture of mediocrity.

We can do better. And that is what you are saying.

It is very frustrating for my constituents, about a year or so ago we had a forum in my district with the Federal Reserve for small business people.

Although I appreciate SIGTARP's work, today's hearing would have been more helpful to the committee members if we could have heard from additional witnesses.

When Congress passed the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, we explicitly authorized this.

I believe very strongly, there are two words that I use in my office most often, effectiveness and efficiency.

I hope today's hearing could be a substantive evaluation of the Department's loan program, but I am concerned that the Republicans continue to make the false and irresponsible claims that this program is nothing more than an effort by the…

We have to make sure that the people that we represent are getting the best service possible. Their health, their safety, their welfare is number one.

It gives me great pleasure, Mr. Speaker, to yield 3 minutes to a gentleman who has worked very hard on this issue night and day, and it's been at the forefront of his efforts, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Connolly).

Labor is the foundation on which our Postal Service is built, and we must honor the employees who have served this institution for decades.

I want jobs. I want jobs. I want to keep as many people working as possible.

If we can't do this, we might as well go home.