Political Quotes

“Madam Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Chair, the Export-Import Bank has a portfolio annually somewhere to the tune of $120 billion, I think under the new proposal; $130 billion. Fifty-one percent, Madam Chairman--fully 51 percent--goes to 10 companies in our country--$120 billion. Isn't that fantastic? Whether you support or oppose the Ex-Im, everyone can welcome the fact that the reauthorization we are considering today raises the Bank's small-business target 25 percent. Republicans and Democrats in both the House and the Senate have called on the Bank to focus on small-business needs more effectively. This amendment keeps that 25 percent small-business target in the underlying bill. It doesn't change that, but it would then raise the target by 5 percent per year through the reauthorization period. Madam Chair, $120 billion a year, $130 billion a year, 51 percent goes to 10 companies in the United States. You think: Wouldn't it be great if the town that I represent, the towns that Members in this House represent, could be one of those 10 companies? It is not to disparage any of those 10 companies. We are happy that they are in the United States, and we are happy that they are profitable. But these small businesses that are trying to get a leg up, that want to employ their neighbors and that want to enrich their communities would like a shot as well.…”