Eva M. Clayton: “I rise, with some reluctance, in support of this bill. My reluctance grows out of the fact that, because this measure is…”

“I rise, with some reluctance, in support of this bill. My reluctance grows out of the fact that, because this measure is on the Suspension Calendar, the ranking minority member, Mr. LaFalce, will not be able to offer a perfecting amendment. His amendment was cooperatively withdrawn to allow time for a hearing on it, so that the markup of the bill could proceed. Just before the recess, the full committee marked up H.R. 2150, the Small Business Credit Efficiency Act of 1995. At that time, Mr. LaFalce introduced an amendment that would restore to 90 percent the amount of a guarantee on financing for 1 year or less under the Small Business Administration's Export Working Capital Guarantee Program. The SBA 7(a) Program is designed to provide greater access to capital for the small business. It is the startup and expansion for primary loan guarantee program for those small businesses seeking commercial loans of $750,000 or less. Without the SBA loans many smaller businesses would not have an opportunity. Minorities and women are prime beneficiaries of this loan guarantee program, as well as small exporters. The program has grown over the last 5 years. For fiscal year 1995, the SBA is expected to handle some 56,000 loans, totaling $7.8 billion.”