Steny Hoyer: “I understand you say it is irrelevant whether it works or not. On my side I think we probably think it is relevant. As…”

“I understand you say it is irrelevant whether it works or not. On my side I think we probably think it is relevant. As the gentlewoman from California said, we think it is working. We think it is advantageous for small businesses. We think it is advantageous for minorities. We think it is advantageous for veterans. In that context, we think it is very relevant that it seems to work. The gentleman who is the chair of the committee didn't say it didn't work, he just said they hadn't come to Congress. Now, if they don't have the authority to do that, then we ought to raise that issue. I am not sure that is the issue you are raising. I think that is the issue you were raising. The fact of the matter is, fine, then let's have a hearing on it and begin. Let's have the authorizing committee that is responsible for this say this is not working or we think it is working and we ought to continue it. Absent a vote on continuing it, then one could draw the conclusion that Congress withdraws its approval of it. I think by simply doing this, Members are going to be voting, in effect, blind on a program that we on this side think is working for the people that it needs to help. Mr. Chairman, I would urge that we reject this amendment.”