Jeanne Shaheen

The number one constituent concern that I have had since I got elected has been hearing from people in New Hampshire who are facing foreclosure.

I support the program. I think it means that there is now $9 billion out there to lend to small business.

It has been over 3 years since the summer of 2008 when the Russian invasion and occupation of Georgia led to perhaps the lowest point in United States-Russian relations since the fall of the Soviet Union.

Thank you for choosing to take on this new responsibility at such an important time for our country.

I chair subcommittee on water and power, and we're hoping to do a follow up hearing to look at the impact of fracking on production of shale gas.

We had roads and bridges washed out. We had people lose their businesses and their homes.

Thank you both for organizing the hearing today.

Yes, enjoy what we have to offer.

Let me also point out that the record of this hearing will be open for two weeks.

I think the good news on patents is that patent reform legislation has passed both Houses.

Given the recent unemployment numbers, what can be done to lower the cost of doing business for exporters?

So do you think as the Small Business Jobs Act is being implemented and the STEP program that is part of that and some of the other focus on exporting that is part of that legislation, are there any ways as that is being implemented to…

Were you suggesting that you think there ought to be legislation that requires that?

Thank you. Thank you all very much for your testimony.

I know that we have another panel to do, so I think, as interested as we are in what everybody has to say, we will do one more question each before we bring on the second panel.

And one of the things that I think would be very helpful to everybody on the Small Business Committee, not just Senator Ayotte and I, would be to get copies of the council's letters, like the one you just read from, so that we can see what…

Yes. Well, export.gov really is that--Mr. Friedman also mentioned the need for a one-stop shop.

And can I just ask for the benefit of our audience, how can people access the tariff tool and the other tools?

Senator Shaheen, I believe you attended our first one, which was held here in New Hampshire last January.

Thank you very much.

I want to acknowledge, Senator Shaheen, the fact that you have been such a strong leader on international trade issues.

New Hampshire is well positioned to benefit from Free Trade Agreements.

I am eager for the Senate to finally bring these agreements forward for us to debate them and to have votes on them.

There is a tremendous opportunity for us to increase our efforts in this area.

I look forward to hearing about what the government is doing to increase small business exports.