The Public Record
Hillary Jeanne Scholten is a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Michigan's 3rd congressional district since January 3, 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, Scholten has focused on various social issues during her time in office. She has been an advocate for policies that support community development and social justice, reflecting her commitment to her constituents in Michigan. Scholten's background includes experience in law and public service, which informs her legislative priorities.
I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, last week I joined my colleagues from all corners of the country on a trip to the southern border to El Paso, hosted by my good friend, Congresswoman Escobar. This wasn't my first trip to…
I am particularly concerned with the ability of women-owned small businesses, WOSBs, to compete and be prepared to succeed if they outgrow these size definitions.
I am thrilled that last week this Committee passed bills to support the WOSB program, but there is still so much more to be done.
As the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Contracting and Infrastructure, I see how small businesses get boxed out of the federal marketplace by agency size standard decisions.
I am so proud to speak on behalf of this bill. The Women-Owned Small Business--WOSB--Integrity Act, which is cosponsored, of course, by Congresswoman Maloy.
I am proud to speak on behalf of my bill, the Enhancing Competition in Contracting Orders, which is cosponsored by my wonderful colleague, Congresswoman Salazar.
It is not an overstatement to say they truly are the lifeblood of our economy.
Just this past November, 216 of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle voted to prohibit funding for the CDC's firearm injury and mortality prevention research.
We can have an assault weapons ban. We can have waiting periods. We can have extreme risk protection orders or red flag laws.
In 2024, in the U.S., there have already been 1,137 gun violence-related deaths and seven mass shootings.
Crime and violence against small businesses defy the core tenets of economic freedom and empowerment our country and our economy is built on.
Water is a way of life in west Michigan. The Great Lakes are a major economic engine, both in Michigan and throughout our region.
It is just so critical that we take stock of what we have been able to accomplish and just how much we have yet to do.
Maintaining safe passages, open passages through the Great Lakes year-round is critical to that end.
I encourage you to do all that you can to keep our servicemembers safe and undistracted.
Many of us continue to be concerned about the impacts of further continuing resolutions in place of appropriations.
I am concerned not only for the workers themselves, but as a lawmaker and a protector of my constituents, I am concerned about their safety.
I am particularly concerned about the impact and delays on these airports for these programs.
It bears repeating over and over and over again that the Senate's delay in passing the FAA reauthorization has created significant uncertainty for our aviation industry.
Supporting these minority entrepreneurs is a high priority of mine as it is for the SBDC.
The 14 percent cut to the SBDC is of particular note to a district like mine.
My question for you is, knowing this importance, the fiscal year 2024 SBA budget requests funding cuts to the SBDC Program by approximately 14 percent.
We could not agree more. I want to be on the record as saying we know that you are not out to hurt small businesses.
Politicians like Hillary Scholten
