Vicente Gonzalez: “I think in any debate, whether it is this amendment or any other amendment, I do not think we should ever question any…”

“I think in any debate, whether it is this amendment or any other amendment, I do not think we should ever question any Member's commitment or dedication to the war on terror. The funding that is sought in this particular amendment will not jeopardize our effort on the war on terrorism, and I think we need to start off with that understanding so we remain focused on the true intent of this particular amendment, and that is the very lifeline or lifeblood to small businesses in securing loans. Small businesses already operate at great disadvantage. They do not get the same deductions as big corporations. They cannot go and establish their headquarters offshore and abroad to avoid paying taxes. This is all about the American dream. This is all about sweat and toil and commitment to this great capitalist system that makes this great democracy the great democracy that we have today. We will never support democracy without a strong economy. I look at this as the greatest investment we can possibly make. We have to remain focused on the true intent of this particular amendment. These will be loans that are being made because of the funding in the guarantee. These are loans that would not be made otherwise. This is not a subsidy to banks. It is about risk, and there is nothing wrong with taking risk into consideration.”