Eva M. Clayton: “there are many parts of the Republican's proposed budget that I find objectionable, but there is one part that is…”

“there are many parts of the Republican's proposed budget that I find objectionable, but there is one part that is particularly inappropriate. They propose, once again, to eliminate the Department of Commerce by abolishing certain programs and by restructuring others. The Department of Commerce, under the able leadership of Secretary Ron Brown, has been a shining example of what good Government can do. And with the appointment of Secretary Kantor, continued good things are promised. Why eliminate the one agency that has aggressively expanded American exports, has effectively pursued business opportunities abroad for American companies--big and small--has helped to ease our balance of trade deficit and, most importantly, has had a big hand in creating jobs here in the United States? I am particularly distressed by their proposal to transfer the functions, but not the resources, of the Economic Development Administration [EDA] to the Small Business Administration [SBA]. This proposal would appear to be a classic example of seeking to make change for no reason, rather than change for good reason, change for the sake of change rather than change for the better. The Economic Development Administration has been an effective and vital resource in helping communities, especially rural communities, respond to problems of economic distress.”