Hillary Scholten

For everyone across America, determinants of health for communities and individuals hinges on water quality and sustainability.

That is why I have introduced with Rep. Gonzalez-Colon the bipartisan Pay Our Coast Guard Parity Act, to ensure Coasties are treated the same as other members of the DoD.

As you have seen, last week, some extremist Republicans indicated that they would be willing to shut down the Government rather than keep their party's promises on Government funding levels.

Thank you so much to our witnesses for joining us here today, and to the committee as a whole for this critical discussion.

We need to put the politics aside and focus on solutions which is what I hope we can do here today.

So many families in West Michigan work hard, pay their bills and still struggle to make ends meet.

As my colleague Representative Phillips said, this is an issue that has been blown up by both parties.

Once again I am standing here today while House Republican leadership has failed to do the bare minimum. Where are they? The Republican side of this Chamber is vacant while House Democrats have remained at the ready to do their jobs and…

House Republicans recently passed a partisan bill that will cut all nondefense discretionary spending across the federal government by 22 percent.

As Ranking Member of the Small Business Committee on Contracting and Infrastructure, I am committed to ensuring that veteran-owned small businesses have the resources that they need to succeed in the federal procurement process.

Data indicates that veteran entrepreneurs often start businesses years after their separation from the military.

Today, I am on the House floor to talk about a condition that impacts the lives of so many Americans: tuberous sclerosis complex, or TSC. I am honored to speak on behalf of the Cardona family, who shared their child's story with me, and…

This May, students from across west Michigan and the Nation will graduate from high school and college. I am honored to recognize one of these outstanding and incredibly bright graduates who hails from Michigan's Third Congressional…

As the Ranking Member of this Subcommittee, it is a top priority of mine to ensure that minority-owned businesses like R&R Mechanical are able to enter and navigate the federal contracting marketplace.

The U.S. Government remains a consistent and reliable client.

This money brings well-paying jobs to West Michigan and stimulates local economies.

The federal government is spending almost half a trillion dollars annually on the purchase of goods and services.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for holding today's important hearing.

Recently with Representative Gonzalez-Colon we introduced the Pay Our Coast Guard Parity Act, which would ensure that our Coast Guard men and women get paid in the event of a Government shutdown.

Currently, the Coast Guard is operating with nearly 5,000 fewer guardsmen and guardswomen than they need.

I would like to give you an opportunity to elaborate on how increased thresholds can help not only your business but other small businesses.

I just want to reiterate everything my colleague said and be on the record saying railroads...support the effort as well.

If I had to pick one, it would be permitting reform.

As SBA moves forward with these rule changes, this committee must ensure that they are responsibly implemented and do not negatively impact the 7(a) program and individual borrowers.

The last thing we want is for unintended consequences of sweeping changes by rulemaking without detailing accompanying SOPs to harm the future of this program.