Jeanne Shaheen

Is there the potential to have a managed exit from the eurozone for Greece in a way that would help minimize some of that disruption?

Even Greece's Prime Minister--elected in January with a mandate to reject further austerity--agreed that it was preferable to the immediate alternative: Greece's probable exit from the euro and the undermining of its financial system and…

I want to go back to Greece and to whether there are lessons for the European Union in what has happened there.

I agree with you. I think an EU that is unified, that is at peace, that is economically strong, is very important for the United States.

But as you point out, there are also political consequences.

Well, as you point out, that speaks to the challenges in terms of trying to negotiate the recent bailout agreement.

The agreement earlier this month between Greece and its official creditors has prevented, for now, a disruptive Greek exit from the European monetary union.

And we, certainly, took a different approach to the financial crisis than Europe did, because their approach was to go full speed ahead on austerity. Ours was to provide investment in a way to prime the pump of the economy.

To a person, they all said that they have to stay, that this was their future.

There is bipartisan agreement that we need comprehensive tax reform that simplifies the code and that creates a more level playing field for small businesses to compete with big business.

It is important to explore every opportunity for supporting our nation's job creators. That is our small businesses, where two-thirds of the jobs that are created come from small businesses.

Our tax code is in desperate need of reform. It is too long, too complex, and it creates a burden on middle-class families and small businesses across this country.

Private forests also protect wildlife habitats, improve air quality, and reduce carbon in the atmosphere.

Thank you very much, Chairman Roberts and Ranking Member Stabenow and members of the committee, for the opportunity to testify this morning on legislation critical to improving forest conservation in the U.S.

Last week, I introduced the Forest Incentives Program Act of 2015.

The administration strongly supports the creation of incentives to support carbon sequestration in forests and wood products.

In New Hampshire, for example, the forest products industry contributes $3.9 billion to the state's economy and employs over 8,000 people.

I cannot agree more with what Senator Collins and Senator Tillis said about the importance, not just of making sure that Medicare funds the CGM because it is the right thing to do, but it is the economic thing to do.

I know the Senator shares my views that we owe it to the victims of Srebrenica. I look forward to continuing to work with Senator Wicker to do everything we can to support the efforts in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Absolutely, and I know Senator Wicker shared my gratitude as we walked through the streets of Sarajevo and as we met people in Srebrenica for the appreciation they showed the United States for our actions in helping to end that awful war…

The Small Business Administration's Section 504 program that Senator Shaheen mentioned can be used as a very effective tool for overcoming the first cost and financing issues surrounding efficiency upgrades

I have joined with Senator Rob Portman to advance major legislation to ramp up energy efficiency in manufacturing, in buildings, and in the federal government.

Today, I have introduced legislation that will ensure that small businesses who want to undertake energy efficiency projects can qualify for the 504 loan program.

She has legislation pending, S. 1054, the Smart Manufacturing Leadership Act, that would direct the Department of Energy to provide assistance to small and medium-sized manufacturers in implementing smart manufacturing programs

Thank you very much, Chairman Vitter. Welcome, everyone. Welcome to our witnesses. I look forward to this opportunity to discuss the energy challenges that face small businesses.