Olympia Snowe

It's vital that we not only garner the public's attention, but also galvanize public action, both here and across this country, and, indeed, around the world.

There is no sense of urgency which is really surprising, frankly, here. That should have been on the top of the agenda.

A day should not go by that we should not be figuring this out.

Since it has been two years and since we are going to see a drawdown in Iraq, obviously, we are going to have more and more veterans coming home.

There is no question about it. It is all about jobs, jobs, jobs. It is not materializing, and it is severe.

We cannot alter the employment environment without making sure that we are giving all the resources to small businesses.

I congratulate you for bringing this crucial initiative closer to the finish line than it has been for a decade.

I applaud all the workers and the Architect of the Capitol for doing an amazing restoration, in keeping with the design and the historic nature of this building.

We have to do everything we can, to use the resources to turn this around and help to rejuvenate the job creation. It can only happen through small businesses.

This is critically important to make sure all of the agencies are working in concert on so many of the issues that are important to veterans and assisting them and service-disabled veterans.

I appreciate very much your continuing and ongoing advocacy on behalf of small businesses, and in particular at this pivotal moment in our nation's history.

Well, I just want to reiterate what you have already indicated, and I know that you share the concerns, Administrator Mills, but it is disturbing that we have not been able to facilitate a small business jobs bill at a time when it is…

With respect to the overall situation with the economy and small businesses' role in creating jobs, what can we expect for an initiative here in Congress, in conjunction with the President, on the issue of small business?

I know the President has made this his top priority, as you have and as we have, but somehow there seems to be a discrepancy in priorities with respect to considering any major initiative for small businesses in the legislative agenda this…

This year's request represents a 29 percent increase from the previous year, from $16 million to $33 million.

I want to welcome Administrator Karen Mills and applaud her for her outstanding leadership at the Small Business Administration.

It does work. These are unusual times.

We ought to get a response from the SBA because these are issues that could be hindrances and barriers to opening the doors for entrepreneurship.

I congratulate you and the Administrator for making that happen.

I would appreciate those numbers for the Committee, if you have the numbers of jobs created.

Thank you, Chair Landrieu for your continued leadership in championing our nation's small businesses, especially during these precarious economic times.

Certainly, so many in our underserved communities, are facing the tremendous impediment of accessing capital, which is obviously the economic lifeblood of our businesses and essential if they are to remain open and create jobs.

The depressed economy, as Senator Snowe, has resulted in the steepest lending since 1942.

So what could happen in terms of the 7(a) and the 504 loan programs to improve the amount, or the percentage, going to minority-owned businesses?

Yes. I think that would be helpful to sort of guide us in how things are working in that respect.