Today, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), Chairwoman of the House Committee on Financial Services, gave the following statement at a Subcommittee on National Security, International Development and Monetary Policy hearing entitled, “Supporting Small and Minority-Owned Businesses Through the Pandemic.”

Thank you, Chairman Himes, and I wanted to be here to congratulate you on hosting your first subcommittee hearing this Congress, and on such an important and urgent topic. Small and minority-owned businesses are the heartbeat of our economy. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic has foisted heavy financial and public health pressures upon them. Reviving programs like the State Small Business Credit Initiative, and providing specific programs for the hardest hit businesses, like restaurants, are options that could provide targeted relief. This hearing must also focus our attention on minority-owned businesses whose historical challenges with accessing capital and assistance programs have been exacerbated by this pandemic.

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