This is an excellent hearing. I would like to thank the staff as well, because the staff has shared some information with me just this morning that is exceedingly important.

And still I rise. I rise today in strong support of this legislation because it includes trans women. Some of the most brutal, horrific crimes created in the minds of people have been perpetrated upon trans women. Madam Speaker, this…

Madam Chairwoman, with your consent and permission, and without objection, I would like to have this admitted into the record.

I thank my friend for his kind words. He and I spoke earlier today, and I believe that there are people who assume things about us that are just not true. There are probably people who assume that he and I don't get along, but they don't…

And still I rise, a very proud and liberated Democrat, unbought and unbossed. I rise today with a question, Madam Speaker. The question is: Should the taxpayers of this country, the good people of the United States of America, should their…

This bill would restart the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) and it courts $10 billion in getting this credit initiative regenerated.

And still I rise, and I rise with gratitude and appreciation for the Biden administration. This administration did not give up, did not give in. This administration has become now a symbol of hope and help for working class people. It is…

And still I rise, a proud, liberated Democrat unbought and unbossed. I rise today to address the question of life and death, the question associated with the Governor of the State of Texas indicating that on tomorrow people may go out into…

And still I rise. And I thank the Honorable Bobby Scott for the opportunity to be heard. I will be terse. Madam Speaker, unions protect people. Unions protect people because those workers will organize and make sure that there is a safe…

What Chairwoman Waters has brought to our attention today is just unbelievable, in my opinion.

And still I rise. My dear friends, you say you have a bill. Where was your bill when you had the House, the Senate, and the Presidency, and you could have passed it? You say you have a bill. The same bill that you had to replace the…

And still I rise, Mr. Speaker. You used God to enslave my foreparents. You used God to segregate me in schools. You used God to put me in the back of the bus. Have you no shame? God created every person in this room. Are you saying that…

I think it is fair to say that--and I mean no disrespect--but that some of the advice that was given by the President, some of that advice proved to be harmful to some members of the public.

Finally, minority communities are especially vulnerable--a multiplicity of reasons why, but it appears to me that we have to do more in terms of assuring minority communities that they will get the vaccine.

Now, on the other hand, juxtaposing the Biden administration to the previous administration, we have the Biden administration with a commitment to put shots in arms.

Testing is extremely efficacious for that purpose.

The risk of punishment for violations must always exceed the rewards to deter the risk.

I totally concur with you.

This Agency, as it were, is devoted exclusively to the growth and expansion of minority business enterprise.

Where is the moral issue associated with putting millions upon millions in the pockets of persons who are wealthy?

The rent must be paid.

I am grateful that she has you at the helm, and I thank Mr. Hill as well.

There was no hues and cries about, we are paying them too much.

We must pay the rent.

Last Congress, I introduced H.R. 6869, the Minority Business Resiliency Act.