Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close. By the way, to my friend across the aisle, I concur. I am eager for a return to regular order, and I hope we work towards that. I want to thank Chairwoman Velazquez, the extraordinary staff of the Small Business Committee, my staff, and so many in the Capitol complex who have brought us to this day; Representatives Blumenauer and Quigley; my good friend, Brian Fitzpatrick, from across the aisle, and so many others. In fact, 300 Democrats and Republicans are on bills right now to replenish the RRF, and I want to thank them all for getting us here today. I am a small business owner myself. I have been listening to this debate with open ears and open eyes, a long business career, now I own a couple coffee shops. I used to have three, but we had to close one during the pandemic. I know how hard it is, how hard it has been, and how hard it will be. But we didn't take PPP. We didn't take an IDA loan. We didn't take any of the government support programs. That is why I am here to advocate for the 177,000--177,000--small restaurants and cafes and millions of owners, operators, and employees all around the country in my district and yours who were approved for RRF funds and have been waiting for almost a full year for us to make good on a very simple promise.…”