I was troubled to see a report from the McClatchy news organization that OMB Director Mulvaney has been lobbying on behalf of one of his former constituents for an exemption from the steel tariffs.

Well, thank you. I think this subcommittee agrees with you, which is why we have increased resources for your agencies despite the budget request from the administration, which would have reduced them.

I think the Congress has already spoken on that. So hopefully the administration will implement what the Congress has directed with respect to spending because that is the way the Constitution is supposed to work.

I hope that the President will heed the warnings of Members of this subcommittee and end the trade war.

We have to flip the formula here and make sure we can get back to helping our businesses get into those international markets.

We have to help about 95 percent of small and medium sized businesses who are not getting into those international markets, get into those international markets.

I would urge you to do everything you can because small businesses are so critical to increasing trade in this country.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Unfortunately, the administration has also used these agencies to carry out what, I believe, is an ill-advised trade war.

I agree, and I would argue that we have a presence in the northern section of Syria. That gives us some negotiating ability that we should continue to support.

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