Nydia M. Velazquez: “This bill will greatly increase the publicly available information about the microloan program's performance and impact.…”

“This bill will greatly increase the publicly available information about the microloan program's performance and impact. If we intend to continue to support the smallest of small businesses, especially women- and minority-owned businesses, we need to make sure the programs targeting them are operating at their best. That starts with improving the data and information available about where the loans are going, how affordable they are, and where the gaps in coverage are. With more data, Congress will be able to monitor the program and identify areas for improvement. I thank the gentlemen from Tennessee and New Jersey for their hard work and collaboration in bringing this bill to the floor today. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes,'' and I yield back the balance of my time.”