The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program is a lifeline, it is a lifeline for low-income families and a lifeline for the elderly all across the Nation.

You talk to the elected officials in my district, both Democrat and Republican, and they will tell you that we have not been on a spending spree with the stimulus infusion of capital into rural America.

The President's Export Promotion Cabinet does not really add another layer of bureaucracy.

The NEI represents the first time the United States will have a government-wide export promotion strategy.

A major part of our economic recovery is indeed increased exports.

It also shows that the Federal Government can be, is and must be an engine for private sector growth, and nowhere else is that more true than with respect to developing new energy technologies.

These are just a few examples showing that the federal investments now in R&D can lead to innovative, high-value products from the private sector well into the future.

The Republican spending plan that passed the House, we call it H.R. 1, would prevent those trade professionals from being available when and where companies such as yours could use their help to complete sales and to generate jobs back home.

This Congress wants to be an ally, not an obstacle, so thank you very much.

recognizing export promotion as a priority, President Obama's 2012 budget increases resources for the ITA, particularly for the commercial service.

The President announced the goal of doubling U.S. exports by 2014.