Floor Statements

Mr. President, as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize Bloom Floral of Algona, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the Week.

Driven by her passion for designing floral arrangements, Kelsey Thompson founded Bloom Floral in 2011 to serve customers in Algona and the surrounding communities in North Iowa. Bloom Floral is a full- service floral and gift shop that offers a one-stop shop for fresh flowers. In addition, the shop offers permanent botanicals, live plants, and home decor. Bloom Floral specializes in weddings and events with a passion for creating floral designs personalized for each customer. Kelsey and her staff travel all over north Iowa to provide wedding flowers, event setup, and rental items for wedding customers. Bloom Floral's design team has over 60 years of combined experience and is dedicated to providing the freshest flowers and top-level community service.

In addition to teaching hands-on courses and mentoring other florists, Kelsey runs ``Petals & Profits,'' an online resource and content membership to help florists with business and marketing. Additionally, she produces a podcast called ``The Retail Florist'' that promotes her business and floral expertise. Kelsey is a nationally accredited designer and member of the Iowa Florists' Association. In addition to running Bloom Floral, Kelsey also serves as the president of the Algona Chamber of Commerce and sits on the Algona Retail Revolving Loan Fund committee. In September 2022, Kelsey won the first place award in the Sylvia Cup Design Competition at the annual Society of American Florists convention.

Bloom Floral's continual commitment to supplying floral arrangements in Algona is outstanding. I want to congratulate Kelsey Thompson and the entire team at Bloom Floral for the passion and care they put into each and every arrangement, wedding, and workshop. I look forward to seeing their continued growth and success in Iowa.

Mr. President, as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize Hy- Capacity of Humboldt, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the Week.

Hy-Capacity was founded by James ``Scratch'' Olson in 1978 in Pocahontas, IA, as a remanufacturer of agricultural farming equipment. In 1980, the business was relocated to Humboldt and focused on clutches, water pumps, and torque amplifier modifications. The company's name refers to Scratch's ability to take existing tractor parts and modify them for ``higher capacity'' uses for farmers. Hy- Capacity has evolved over the years and expanded to offer a wide range of agricultural equipment, including cab kits, radiators, and engine overhaul kits. They have grown their products globally and currently export their parts to Canada and Mexico.

Hy-Capacity is an exemplary family business. Scratch's sons Jeff and Steve work at Hy-Capacity. Steve became the president in the 1990s after working there since the company's inception. Steve currently serves as CEO, and his daughter Molly Varangkounh served as president from 2001 until 2022. Steve's son David now runs the day-to-day business operations. A fourth generation of the Olson family, Molly's daughter Claire, joined the family business as an intern from 2017 until 2021. Scratch Olson's legacy includes a multigenerational workforce and a thriving business committed to hard work, community involvement, and dedication to farmers. In 2023, Hy-Capacity celebrated its 45th business anniversary.

The Hy-Capacity team does not only work hard, but they also give back. In 2009, they won the Iowa Governor's Environmental Excellence Award and the Recycling Project/Facility of the Year by the Iowa Recycling Association. Hy-Capacity is involved with the Iowa Future Farmers of America, where they became the official sponsor for tractor seats at events in 2014. Another important partnership for Hy-Capacity is the Humboldt County Memorial Hospital. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Hy-Capacity shifted gears and started manufacturing masks and gowns for the hospital. In addition to the masks and gowns Hy-Capacity provided, they were able to assemble a group of volunteers that helped produce almost 200 additional masks.

Hy-Capacity's commitment to providing high-quality tractor parts to farmers throughout North America while maintaining their Humboldt roots is clear. I want to congratulate the Olson family and the entire team at Hy-Capacity for their continued dedication to providing affordable and high-quality parts to Iowans. I look forward to seeing their continued growth and success in Iowa.

Mr. President, as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize Northwestern Steakhouse of Mason City, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the Week.

Greek immigrants Pete Maduras and Tony Papouchis founded the restaurant in 1920 under the name ``Pete's Place.'' The original location was in the Northwestern Row neighborhood of Mason City. During the early 20th century, Mason City was experiencing an increase in business development due to the opening of the Northwestern State Portland Cement Plant in 1906 and the Lehigh Portland Cement Company in 1910. Many of the workers moving to Mason City were European immigrants like Pete and Tony. During the early history of the restaurant, Pete handled the business side, while Tony was the head chef. Tony spent 3 years in the Greek Army and used the recipes he learned from his service to inspire the menu. Pete's Place moved to its second location on North Federal Avenue in

1932, before moving again to the current location on 16th Street NW in 1954.

In 1965, Pete retired, and the restaurant was rebranded to Northwestern Steakhouse. Tony planted a garden next to the restaurant, where he used fresh produce in his meals, including his famous fresh salads. On Sundays, Tony offered a special menu that paid homage to his Greek roots. Tony worked at the restaurant every day until his passing at 98 years old in 1991. Today, Tony's son Bill Papouchis runs the restaurant with his wife Ann. Bill and Ann continue to honor Tony's legacy by using the recipes he created and keeping the menu consistent with Tony's vision.

The Northwestern Steakhouse team is well-recognized for their hard work. In 2019, Business Insider listed them as the Iowa winner of ``The most famous restaurant in every state'' article. Additionally, online food, drink, and travel publication Thrillist recognized them in ``The Most Iconic Restaurant in Every State'' article. In 2020, while celebrating its 100th anniversary, Northwestern Steakhouse won the ``Business of the Year Award'' from the Mason City Chamber of Commerce. The same year, Mason City mayor Bill Schickel awarded the restaurant the key to the city. Northwestern Steakhouse also gives back to the community. In March 2021, they hosted their first ``Wonderful Wednesday,'' which raised over $1,000 for Habitat for Humanity of North Central Iowa.

Northwestern Steakhouse's commitment to providing quality food and dining in North Central Iowa is clear. I want to congratulate the Papouchis family and the entire team at Northwestern Steakhouse for their continued dedication to providing an iconic culinary experience to Iowans. I look forward to seeing their continued growth and success in Iowa.

Mr. President, as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize Total Detailing Auto Spa of Bettendorf, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the Week.

As a child, Bettendorf resident Tim Lofgren cleaned cars in his neighborhood as a part-time business. He came up with the name ``Total Detailing'' at the age of 15 after he determined that he could turn his childhood hobby into a small business. Total Detailing Auto Spa was founded in 1998 and started out at a residential home, then a location in downtown Bettendorf. In 2008, Tim and his wife Susan acquired an 11,200-square-foot facility in Bettendorf, IA, which serves as the current location for their business.

Total Detailing Auto Spa offers complete interior and exterior car detailing. In addition to their detailing services, they also provide full-service carwash, boat detailing, and motorcycle detailing in the Quad Cities. Total Detailing Auto Spa also operates a retail showroom where antique cars are on display for customers to admire while their car is being serviced, with the showroom currently displaying a 1929 Ford Roadster. The facility has four bays, including an oversized one for boats, recreational vehicles, and tractors. Over the years, Total Detailing Auto Spa has significantly expanded its workforce from a two- person shop to more than 30 employees.

Total Detailing Auto Spa has built up a loyal following over the years. In November 2019, Bettendorf resident Lou Riojas received his 500th car wash from Total Detailing Auto Spa. Lou has relied on Total Detailing Auto Spa to wash his red G-6 Pontiac several times a week. The Total Detailing team has also given back to the Quad Cities community by providing services to charity auctions and local school benefits. Total Detailing Auto Spa's hard work has paid off as they are celebrating their 25th anniversary this year.

Total Detailing Auto Spa's commitment to providing quality car washes and auto detailing services in Bettendorf, IA, is clear. I want to congratulate Tim and Susan Lofgren and the entire team at Total Detailing Auto Spa for their continued dedication to providing car detailing services to Iowans. I look forward to seeing their continued growth and success in Iowa.

Mr. President, as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize Family Health Chiropractic of Sanborn, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the Week.

Dr. Stacy Carlin founded Family Health Chiropractic in 2008 following her graduation from the Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport. The original location for her practice was in Waterloo, which she began after Dr. Carlin and her husband Patrick moved to Cedar Falls following graduation. In 2018, Patrick became the Hartley-Melvin Sanborn School District superintendent. Dr. Carlin opened the Sanborn location that year and traveled between the two locations until June 2019 when she sold the Waterloo practice. Family Health Chiropractic continues to operate at the former Vander Haag Museum building in Sanborn.

Dr. Carlin is a member of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association--ICPA. In 2012, she became a certified specialist in pediatric and pregnancy care following 200 additional hours of training through the ICPA's Academy Council of Chiropractic Pediatrics--CACCP-- and Webster Certification. Throughout her 15-year career, she has treated patients of all ages, including patients as young as newborns. Family Health Chiropractic is also a dedicated member of the Sanborn Chamber of Commerce and active in the O'Brien County community. Family Health Chiropractic hosted a ``Cookies with Santa'' event at the Sanborn Community Center and sponsored ``Safe Kids Day'' at the Sanborn Fire Station in 2022. The O'Brien County Economic Development Corporation spotlighted Family Health Chiropractic in September 2022 for their dedicated service to continuing economic growth in the county.

Family Health Chiropractic's commitment to providing care to patients of all needs in Northwest Iowa is clear. I want to congratulate Dr. Carlin, and the entire team at Family Health Chiropractic for their continued dedication to the field of chiropractic medicine in rural Iowa. I look forward to seeing their continued growth and success in Iowa.

Mr. President, as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize Precision Optical Group of Creston, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the Week.

Following a fishing trip, friends Mike Tamerius and Matt Somers started Precision Optical Group in 1992. Mike had his start in the optical industry working as an optician during his time at Grinnell College in Grinnell, IA, and is a member of the Opticians Association of Iowa and is a certified optician from Metro Tech Community College. Initially starting as a two-person shop, with 100 square feet, the shop expanded operations after only 1 year to a larger building. Over the years, Precision Optical Group has expanded to three locations while maintaining their Creston headquarters. The company acquired the Chicago lab location in 2014. Seeing a need for additional expansion, they acquired the Precise Optical lab in San Angelo, TX, in 2018.

Precision Optical Group is a family enterprise; Mike's son Alex is a sales and marketing specialist with the team. He has a degree in business management from Central College in Pella, IA, in 2018 and has been working there since high school where he started helping in the lab. He also spent time early in his career helping his aunt Deb, who serves as the purchasing manager.

Between the three labs, they have a team of 140 employees and make 1,700 lenses per day. As the country's largest independently owned wholesale optical lab, they have customers across 48 States and export globally. Additionally, Precision Optical Group is a member of the Creston Chamber of Commerce.

In 2022, Precision Optical Group celebrated their 30th anniversary. Precision Optical Group's commitment to providing quality lenses throughout the globe while maintaining their Iowa roots is clear. I want to congratulate Mike Tamerius and the entire team at Precision Optical Group for their continued dedication to the optical industry. I look forward to seeing their continued growth and success in Iowa.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak for up to 6 minutes.

Mr. President, I rise today as the ranking member of the Senate's Small Business Committee in opposition to the President's nomination for Mr. Dilawar Syed to serve as the Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The Deputy Administrator is often referred to as the COO of the SBA, with the critical job of overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Agency. From addressing fraud and recouping funds to improving the Agency's responsiveness, to ensuring small businesses are not drowning in unnecessary redtape, there is a lot of work that needs to be done to improve the SBA's most basic functions. Unfortunately, following Mr. Syed's appearance before the Small Business Committee, I do not believe he is the right person for the job.

This nomination was delayed last Congress due to the nominee's failure to voluntarily disclose his company's PPP and EIDL loans from the SBA.

As the nominee to help lead the Agency responsible for small business pandemic relief funding, I believe Mr. Syed should have been forthcoming in disclosing his interest in an SBA program. Unfortunately, there were false statements and errors in the applications and disclosures signed by Mr. Syed on behalf of his company, which further delayed the committee's consideration of his nomination. The lack of transparency and the resistance in providing requested information to the committee do not inspire confidence that he will be transparent and forthcoming with Congress about the SBA's programs and ongoing challenges.

Based on the track record of this nominee, it is not clear he would reverse the SBA's failure to give committee members details on key policy matters squarely in the committee's jurisdiction. The Agency's continued lack of responsiveness under the Biden administration is a key part of why I stand before you in opposition of this nominee.

I recently questioned Mr. Syed on whether he believes that overregulation stifles innovation and entrepreneurship. He could not give me a direct answer. This is unacceptable to Iowa's entrepreneurs, who are struggling in Biden's economy and drowning in ever-changing regulations. As I am crisscrossing Iowa, small businesses continuously list Washington redtape and regulation as a top issue keeping them from growing and, in too many cases, simply surviving.

I am not convinced Mr. Syed is ready and willing to change the SBA's culture and bring much-needed accountability to the Agency. It is estimated by the investigative community that there is more than $100 billion in suspected fraud in PPP and EIDL. Addressing this abuse by holding individuals accountable and recovering taxpayer dollars provided to ineligible businesses must be a top priority for this Agency. I have received commitments from Mr. Syed that he would make every effort on fraud recovery and prevention. He also informed me that he believed SBA Administrator Guzman is prioritizing fraud prevention.

But the reality is that the SBA decided not to pursue borrowers with unpaid loans less than $100,000, giving them a free pass.

Should Syed be confirmed, I will hold him accountable to his commitment and ensure that the Agency is taking a larger role in administrative recoveries. Further, should Mr. Syed be confirmed today, I urge him to do all he can to protect the integrity of the 7(a) loan program at all costs.

Recently, the SBA finalized two lending rules that, if not addressed, would pose serious risks to the long-term health of SBA's lending programs, create predatory underwriting standards, and enable the same fintech companies that were responsible for fueling rampant PPP fraud to participate in this critical program. This, too, is unacceptable.

I joined Chairman Cardin, House Small Business Chairman Roger Williams, and Ranking Member Velazquez in asking the SBA to pause on implementation of these proposed rules until a permanent leader was in place for the Office of Capital Access. The Administrator didn't even have the courtesy to respond to our letter before plowing ahead and opening up the application period for new fintech firms.

Based on our experience with Mr. Syed over the past 2\1/2\ years while his nomination has been under consideration, he has resisted full transparency at every turn. Unfortunately, all evidence suggests that he will just be more of the same ongoing problem as part of the leadership team at the SBA.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize Classroom Clinic of Carroll, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the Week.

Psychiatric nurse practitioner Sue Gehling founded Classroom Clinic in 2019 to help with the mental health needs of children attending schools in rural Iowa. Sue spent most of her life in rural Iowa and saw firsthand the opportunities to serve her community by addressing mental health needs while working at a clinic in Carroll. Classroom Clinic provides rural school districts with the ability to serve students using a telehealth model. Since 2019, Classroom Clinic has worked with four districts, including seven schools,

and has provided mental health care services to over 250 Iowa students.

In October 2022, founder Sue Gehling received the Iowa School Mental Health Hero Award. The award honors a practitioner, researcher, educator, or community partner for their defining contribution to school mental health in Iowa. Additionally, Classroom Clinic was chosen as the winner of the Small Business Development Center Iowa's statewide August Small Business of the Month award due to their contributions to the community. Today, Classroom Clinic is striving to reach more students across Iowa to have a more positive impact within these students and families' lives.

Classroom Clinic's commitment to providing mental health services in Iowa is clear. I want to congratulate Sue Gehling, and the entire team at Classroom Clinic for their continued dedication to providing students from rural Iowa with the additional mental health services and resources they need. I look forward to seeing their continued growth and success in Iowa.

Mr. President, as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize Swenson's Do it Best Hardware of Britt, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the Week.

In 1977, 21-year-old Jon Swenson purchased the then-named Kreitinger Hardware in downtown Britt. The store was renamed Swenson's Do it Best Hardware and has been family-owned and operated ever since. They offer both home and outdoor tools and supplies, including rental power tool equipment. They can also provide pipe cutting, key cutting, and window or screen repair services in the shop. Swenson's Do it Best Hardware has an ``online warehouse'' of over 67,000 items and is a one-stop shop for all home improvement needs. In 2022, Swenson's Do it Best Hardware celebrated their 45th anniversary.

The team at Swenson's Do it Best Hardware is active in the Britt community. Jon Swenson has been a volunteer firefighter in the Britt Fire Department since 1978 and was named the fire chief in 2015. Additionally, and since 1974, Jon has filmed the football games at the West Hancock High School. Swenson's Do it Best Hardware has also been a sponsor of the high school's events and activities. In 2022, when RAGBRAI had a stop in Britt and Swenson's Do it Best Hardware's downtown storefront was used for photo opportunities for riders and tourists. They also provided a device charging station for the 2022 racers. They have also participated in Britt Chamber of Commerce events to support the local small business community.

Swenson's Do it Best Hardware's commitment to providing quality tools, equipment rentals, and repair services in northern Iowa is clear. I want to congratulate Jon Swenson and the entire team at Swenson's Do it Best Hardware for their continued dedication to providing home improvement supplies to Iowans. I look forward to seeing their continued growth and success in Iowa.

Mr. President, I rise today to recognize June as Iowa Beer Craft Month. This celebration honors our local craft breweries which contribute so much to the economy and culture of our State.

Iowa's craft beer industry continues to grow and thrive, creating more than $1 billion in economic impact. Iowa Beer Craft Month offers beer lovers across the State a wonderful opportunity to responsibly explore the unique and amazing flavors and styles of our local breweries, while also supporting Iowa small businesses.

I encourage all who can to raise a glass and toast to the exceptional quality and craftsmanship of Iowa beer.

Mr. President, as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week it is my privilege to recognize Van Hemert's Dutch Oven Bakery of Boone, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the Week.

Van Hemert's Dutch Oven Bakery was founded by husband and wife duo Denny and Terri Van Hemert in 1983. The bakery's motto is, ``A Little Dutch in the Heart of Iowa,'' and the Van Hemert's have accomplished that. Operating as a full-line scratch bakery, Van Hemert's Dutch Oven Bakery is famous for their Dutch letters, which are made by creating a light pastry shell and filling it with homemade almond paste. Although they craft a wide range of letters, they claim that the Dutch letter ``S'' is their most popular. They also offer other Dutch pastries on their menu including almond horns, Dutch windmills, and creme horns. In addition to Dutch pastries, they also have pies, muffins, donuts, cakes, and seasonal items on the menu.

Another unique aspect of the bakery is that their menu is more than just pastries and sweets. They have goods for all occasions, including homemade bread, a breakfast and lunch menu, and a ``Koffie Haus'' with a wide range of caffeinated beverages.

Van Hemert's Dutch Oven Bakery has been recognized for their hard work. They have locations in Boone and Ames, IA, and were named by the Iowa State Daily in 2016 and 2017 as the student choice best bakery. They have even been recognized nationally, placing fifth in the Dawn Food's America's Sweetest Bakery competition in 2017.

Van Hemert's Dutch Oven Bakery's commitment to providing quality pastries in central Iowa is clear. I want to congratulate the Van Hemert family and the entire team at Van Hemert's Dutch Oven Bakery for their continued dedication to providing Dutch sweets and treats to Iowans. I look forward to seeing their continued growth and success in Iowa.

Madam President, the current permitting process in the United States is as outdated as that seventies' shag carpet in your grandma's house. It is true. A lot has changed since that old ``rug,'' known as the National Environmental Policy Act, was installed in 1970.

Today, the Democrats like to preach that America is ready for the green energy revolution, but the facts just don't line up. Case in point: More than 92 percent of energy projects currently backlogged in the permitting process are solar and wind projects.

Just last week in a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm promised that our DOD, Department of Defense, could make our entire military fleet electric vehicles by 2030--all of them electric by 2030, just a little under 7 years from now.

I pressed her on how in the world our Pentagon could accomplish this in that short timeframe and, frankly, why it is a top priority for our Nation's military in the first place.

Folks, right now, China--China--controls the EV supply chain. The communist regime produces about 75 percent of all lithium-ion batteries that power those electric vehicles.

Over 70 percent of the world's cobalt mining occurs in the Democratic Republic of Congo, done by child labor. The remainder of the cobalt primarily comes from CCP-owned firms. To mine all of these minerals, China relies on slave labor.

This is absolutely unacceptable. Increasing reliance on the Chinese Communist Party and supporting their malign actions is a nonstarter.

In my exchange with Secretary Granholm in this Armed Services Committee meeting, she tried to tout the President's ``Invest in America'' agenda, saying: 150 battery companies have announced they are coming or expanding to the United States to do business.

That does sound great, right?

Well, these businesses are in for a real treat. The big hand of Washington, guided by the Biden administration, is ready and waiting to prevent these businesses from actually mining, procuring, and processing minerals needed for their batteries right here at home. The problem is, right now, on average, it takes 4\1/2\ years to simply get an environmental review for a project.

When the permitting process takes longer than the actual building process, that should raise a red flag.

Let's remove the redtape. The best strategy to confront our growing energy needs is to utilize the abundance of energy-producing natural resources that our country was blessed with and encourage alternative energy production methods. By increasing the use of renewables, like homegrown Iowa biofuel, and building on the advances in energy efficiency, we have the ability to pursue an energy strategy right here in America that creates jobs, lowers costs, and reduces our dependence upon our foreign adversaries like China. New clean energy projects bring economic benefits and jobs to rural areas, including my home State of Iowa.

The Biden administration claims to ``build back better,'' but in today's reality, we simply can't build anything. It is time we pass commonsense permitting reform and get Washington bureaucrats out of the way.

I yield the floor.

I suggest the absence of a quorum.

Mr. President, as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize Ramsey's Market of Lenox, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the Week.

The company was founded by Theo and Bonnie Ramsey in 2015 after learning that the local grocery store in Lenox was up for sale. As veterans of the U.S. Air Force, service is key for the Ramsey family, so the pair jumped at the opportunity to fill a critical community need. When a local grocery store goes out of business, residents sometimes have extensive drives just to buy the basic food items. Over the years, Ramsey's Market has been able to expand to include a food locker delivery service, an adjoining Ace Hardware store with a bar inside, and even a second location in Manning, IA.

Another unique aspect of the store is live music. Theo and Bonnie met during their time in the U.S. Air Force Band of the Golden West, where they both were singers. It is very normal for local musicians to perform in the grocery store while customers shop. The staff behind the deli counter, and even Bonnie can often be found singing to customers.

Ramsey's Market has been recognized for their hard work, earning the Iowa Farm Bureau's Renew Rural Iowa Entrepreneur Award in 2018 for their unique shopping experience and their impact on the Lenox community. They have even been recognized for their success by America's Small Business Development Center, Iowa. In January 2022, I had the opportunity to visit the store and see the local impact the business has on Taylor County.

Ramsey's Market's commitment to providing quality groceries in a fun environment is clear. I want to congratulate the Ramsey family, and the entire team at Ramsey's Market, for their continued dedication to finding a solution to the food deserts in Iowa and serving their community. I look forward to seeing their continued growth and success in Iowa.

Madam President, as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize Simply Blooming of Traer, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the Week.

Simply Blooming was founded in 2006 by Lisa Eikamp as a one-stop shop for all of your floral needs. Simply Blooming has flowers from all over the world in store. As an experienced floral designer, Eikamp is able to design and accessorize an arrangement for a variety of events and occasions. Simply Blooming's website boasts a broad portfolio of floral designs including prom corsages, wedding bouquets, and sympathy flowers. In addition to flowers, you can also find a variety of plants, home decor, stylish clothing, and even boots for sale.

This year has been a momentous one for Simply Blooming. They opened a new location in Vinton on the exact day of their 17th anniversary of the flagship store opening in Traer. The second store is called Simply Blooming, Too, and has already become an integral part of the Vinton community. They had a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the occasion, and an Elvis Presley impersonator even stopped by for the festivities.

Part of what makes Simply Blooming special is their attention to customer service. They maintain active social media profiles updating customers on the arrangements they design, community events hosted at Simply Blooming, and information on all of their new products.

Simply Blooming's commitment to providing flower arrangements for every occasion is clear. In 17 years, Ms. Eikamp has been able to provide quality customer service by treating her customers like family. I want to commend Lisa Eikamp and the entire team at Simply Blooming for their work. This business exemplifies the innovative spirit and leadership skills of the Iowa entrepreneur. I look forward to seeing your continued growth and success in Iowa.