Nydia M. Velazquez

I would be happy to do that; but I have to tell you, victims in the gulf region cannot wait until we have such a discussion, and that is why this amendment is important to be voted on today.

Well, let me just say this. Isn't it true that there are 60,000 applications in backlog? Isn't it true that 19 percent, only 19 percent have been processed? Isn't it true that there is 65 percent declined on loans approval? This is not…

I mean by the minority-serving institution to develop the physical facility and develop the relationship. I will propose to the gentleman that he adopt the amendment, and it is a matter of semantics and that we will work to clarify it.

For clarification, it says here, ``shall enter into a cooperative agreement with a non-profit organization that has experience developing relationships between industry, minority institutions . . . '' It does not say physical or…

I would like to clarify the gentleman's statement. This is not to construct buildings. This funding in this amendment will not pay for the construction of facilities. $4 million does not pay for facilities. It will give the funds that…

I just would like to respond for the record to a statement made by the chairman that the e-travel will save taxpayers' money. Let me just say that an industry review of the booking fees listed on the Federal Supply Schedule, it appears…

Before the Comp Demo program, small businesses in those selective industries were making 78 percent of all the contracts. Right now they are doing only 38 percent, almost cut in half. And, besides, I thought that the gentleman represented…

This is about economic opportunity for small businesses. The fact of the matter is that the Federal marketplace is growing and that small businesses are losing out; that their number of dollars and contracts are shrinking, and the Federal…

Unfortunately, the authorizing committee was not able to come together for the small business authorization to report a bill out of our committee. And for those people and Members who are always talking about helping small businesses and…

Well, the numbers that Mr. Barreto is giving my colleague is when the program was shut down, and he does not say to my colleague that they are doing $2 billion below what they said they would be doing at this time.

Small businesses got only $500. That is nothing compared to the $3,000 that they have to pay in fees through the 7(a) program. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes, 15 seconds to the gentlewoman from Wisconsin (Ms. Moore). (Ms. MOORE of…

Two things. Only one person, one witness, testified on behalf of the 8(a) program. So she represented 100 percent of minority businesses in this country. Secondly, is it not true that in the list of priorities for NFIB, frivolous lawsuit…

In reference to the fact that this amendment takes money from homeland security, I will say that there is nothing in this amendment that will take money from homeland security. The offsets are from DOJ automation projects.

For members of the subcommittee of Congress to be here doing the job for a financial institution is completely wrong. This amendment will address a Hispanic woman who goes shopping around to make a loan and is being denied a loan by…

But I want to read from the committee's report and the gentleman says, ``The committee recommends a total of $128 million under this account for administrative expenses related to business loan programs.'' So what we have done is to…

It is just simply outrageous that if these securities have been performing these types of services by small businesses, that Homeland Security, despite the goals that have been set up by Congress, and despite the fact that the President…

The problem is that I was just contacted by one of the small business firms that has provided these services who is going to go out of business, and he contacted me yesterday.

However, given past experiences with the gentleman and our so-called agreements, I am sure you can understand my need to make this agreement abundantly clear with the gentleman. Mr. Speaker, small businesses continue to suffer under the…

I rise against this sham Republican drug bill that will increase costs, reduce coverage, and dismantle Medicare as we know it.

The first would require States and localities to ensure that families receiving the housing assistance are financially prepared to maintain ownership of their homes after the purchase by requiring recipients to complete a course of…

I think the sham Republican Medicare bill fails to provide women with the real prescription drug coverage that they need and deserve.

Mr. Chairman, first and foremost, I would like to commend and congratulate the chairmen and ranking members of the Committee on the Judiciary and the Subcommittee on Immigration for all of their hard work on the bill we have before us…

I was present during both rollcall votes and during voting for rollcall No. 103, I voted "yes", and during rollcall No. 104, I voted "no."

She truly embodies the American Dream. She is a great woman and a great American, and I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring her.

It is with great pride that I ask you and my colleagues to join me in honoring Ms. Carmen Diaz for her years of leadership and contribution to the communities of the 12th Congressional District.