in my opinion, there is nothing more important than American competitiveness and jobs.

I hope that all of these perspectives that I bring to the table will help create a productive conversation with this Subcommittee.

I know you all share the goal that I do, which is to ensure American small businesses have the access to capital necessary to grow and, in doing so, help their local communities flourish.

I am grateful to have this opportunity to testify before you to discuss the impact of the Small Business Administration's 7(a) loan program.

If the chairman is going to oppose my amendment, I will withdraw it out of respect for the chairman.

I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, so many things we do here in Washington are nonsensical. Our tax system is not competitive; our immigration system is not competitive; our regulatory system is not competitive, and…

I have an amendment at the desk. The CHAIR. The Clerk will report the amendment. The Clerk read as follows: Page 4, line 24, after the dollar amount, insert ``(increased by $4,500,000)''. Page 6, line 6, after the dollar amount, insert…

I want to thank Chairman Simpson and Ranking Member Kaptur for their work on this good piece of legislation. Mr. Chair, I ask unanimous consent to withdraw the amendment. The CHAIR. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from…

I think we can do a lot better. I think it actually stifles economic activity, and I want to end my little presentation by apologizing to all of you gentlemen that we do not have leadership on both sides of the aisle here that are willing…

Basically, I look at the taxes, the price you pay to keep the government open, and if you are paying more for your government than they are paying for their government, does that not put you at a competitive disadvantage?

Their government is putting them in business.

My focus here in Congress is on American competitiveness and jobs.