Nydia Velázquez

I believe we are making it clear to the small business community that we are committed to working together and advocating on their behalf.

Big and bold relief is needed, and it should be targeted to small firms and industries that need it the most.

the reality is that, unless we successfully vaccinate most of the people in this country, consumers will not feel safe going into a restaurant, going into a mall, and spending their money.

raising the minimum wage will put money back into consumers' pockets, back into our main streets, and back into our economy.

I agree with you that integrated, user-friendly information is absolutely needed for smart planning and action.

H.R. 8632 includes important provisions for the U.S territories, which have been heavily impacted by natural disasters.

But political advisers such as Jared Kushner?

Do you think it's right to say that we should fully reopen the schools in those areas?

It's a matter of public policy, sir. It's a matter of lacking a national strategy to combat the virus.

There are 36,000 schools nationwide in need of ventilation upgrades.

Isn't it true that there's evidence that young children can transmit the virus?

the point is that this is not a blue or red issue. This is an American issue, and so I resent when the other side comes here making statements time and again about Democratic states.

It sends the wrong message to the American people that the First Family... were not wearing the mask.

So, are you aware that a recent GAO report found that 36,000 schools nationwide need ventilation upgrades?

It is our responsibility to protect taxpayers' money and to make sure that the program is implemented.

So, Mr. Chairman, will you commit today to taking a hard look at how to fix the program and even set up a new facility from scratch, as you mentioned yesterday, to help small firms on Main Street as we intended, as Congress intended?

I hear you, but, Mr. Chairman, you stated yesterday--or I don't recall when--that the coronavirus is a great increaser of inequality, yet you decided not to collect voluntary demographic data on borrowers in the Main Street program.

Can you understand why many of us believe the Fed is failing Main Street?

So, the CARES Act told you to set up a facility for truly small businesses that needed the assistance, but you decided to create your own facility despite having the authority, which is the issues that we're raising here.

The Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (Heroes) Act, which passed the House in May to prevent those evictions and provide other critical relief, is gathering dust in the Senate on Mitch McConnell's desk.

This pandemic response has fallen badly short, and the Trump Administration has sabotaged efforts to pass a relief package.

The Trump Administration has utterly failed in its economic response to this virus.

By requiring SBA to issue regulations granting OHA jurisdiction over these appeals, H.R. 8229 advances our efforts in this Committee towards uniformity among SBA's contracting programs.

That is why I am proud to support today's bill to codify the CA program under the Small Business Act.

I really appreciate Mr. Spano for offering this important amendment which will strengthen this program, reaching into communities impacted by natural disasters.