Maria Cantwell

But the bottom line is we're losing jobs and we've got product that's not being delivered in a timely fashion.

I appreciate Senator Ayotte being here and arranging the schedule so we can have this hearing.

And what about in an economic downturn like we saw in 2008, 2009? What happened then to private financing?

The Subcommittee is going to continue to focus on what the United States needs to do to maintain its competitiveness in aviation.

I always look at this, since I chair the Small Business Committee, that something like 90 percent of the transactions at Ex-Im Bank are small business.

Lots of these industries are also getting support from Ex-Im Bank. Is that correct?

I mean, that is what gives us the advantage, to have that supply chain continually innovating on their particular production?

A tribe can ask, just like a government entity and can receive assistance and it should do so expeditiously.

I think this is where I would establish a protocol. I would establish a really clear protocol about how that works and make sure everybody knows that and understands it.

We have immediate response teams that work well and coordinate with Indian Country, that there are FEMA people on the ground who really do understand the role and responsibility and coordination with Indian Country.

I believe that it is a powerful and instructive story to remind us that we need to make sure that when Indian Country makes declarations, just as a governor makes declarations, that those declarations are acted on quickly.

I would encourage you to look at that.

We want to empower small businesses all across the United States and certainly we want women to be able to have access to those resources.

I have said many times as the Chair of this Committee I think small is the new big.

We have heard you loud and clear that you need more access and that particularly by tailoring the training, that you could do much more.

I want to make sure I thank Senator Shaheen because she has been a real leader on this issue

I support the efforts to enhance the woman-owned small business program by putting it on par with other contracting programs including Senator Shaheen's Women Small Business Contracting Parity Act.

Did someone follow-up on this issue that you so eloquently pointed out that the men do not relate to products that women pitch?

Senator Risch, thank you for being such a wonderful and gracious host.

Our competitive advantage is that the small companies are continuing to perfect the innovation.

I want to associate my comments with the member from Georgia, because I think Senator Isakson hit the nail right on the head.

Well, our calling card in the competitive arena is our ability to innovate, correct?

I would rather they be competitive and ship their product and have us do our job.

I do not know where else we can be so accountable for an upside of 3.5 million or a loss of 3.5 million.

This is why we have to get this policy right. This is why we have to move forward on the Ex-Im Bank and these other policies we have discussed here today.