U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, now Florida's senior senator, released the following statement today after his Republican colleagues elected him to be chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship for the 116th Congress:
“I’m grateful to have the confidence of my colleagues who have elected me chairman of this committee. For the past two years, the Small Business Committee achieved real victories for small businesses, and it did so in a bipartisan way that is unique for Washington. I look forward to building on those successes this Congress.
“As chairman, my top priority is to pass bipartisan legislation that will expand economic opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs. I will continue to seek ways to improve Small Business Administration (SBA) resources intended for homeowners and businesses that face hardship after hurricanes, floods, and other disasters that threaten their livelihoods.
“I will also examine the effectiveness of every SBA program and conduct thorough oversight to ensure its programs, and taxpayer dollars, are properly administered. With Administrator Linda McMahon and members of the committee, we will work to advance a bipartisan and robust small business agenda.
“Finally, I will continue to fight against China’s blatant interference in our economy. We must do everything possible to safeguard American small businesses from China’s industrial espionage and coercion, which threatens our very economic framework and national prosperity.
“To keep our country competitive in the global economy, Congress must pass legislation that encourages American entrepreneurs to innovate, thrive, and grow. As chairman of the Small Business Committee in the 116th Congress, I will work with my colleagues to make sure they can.”
