If enacted, this legislation would help startups by allowing them to better market their securities and to take part in economic development events like demo days.

As I travel across my district, I am reminded by my constituents again and again that the number one concern that they face is jobs and the economy.

I wanted to highlight one of the things that you said. You said that you all had been proceeding, since your last visit here, with an ongoing assessment of the U.S. equity market structure to ensure that our markets remain the deepest and…

I think that those of us who live in rural areas depend disproportionately on community banks.

I guess my first question really deals with why you are here.

I think you--I hope you would agree that despite these efforts, community banks have been disproportionately affected.

I want to thank Chair Yellen for appearing before us today, and I want to thank the chairman for holding this important hearing.

But the Senate-confirmed position remains after 5 years unfilled.

I think if you looked at the trend over the last 3 decades, you see that it has been brutal for community banks.

I represent Virginia's 5th District. It is a sprawling, rural district, south side, Central Virginia.

Over the last month we have had the opportunity to travel across this large district and spend a lot of time on Main Street in all the localities that we represent.