SEATTLE – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, released the following statement on Trump’s recent Executive Order eliminating the Minority Business Development Agency at the Department of Commerce:

“I’m outraged that President Trump is eliminating the Minority Business Development Agency, which has been helping minority businesses contribute to the U.S. economy for over 50 years and has operated with broad bipartisan support.  In 2023 alone, the MBDA helped minority businesses across the country—in cities and rural communities—secure over $1.2 billion in capital, almost $300 million in export deals and create and retain over 14,000 jobs.  These businesses are engines of commerce—and we should be investing in their success.  I’m particularly troubled that Secretary Lutnick would eliminate the MBDA—whose mission is to support small minority businesses—while he’s spending time on TV trying to boost Tesla stock to help his billionaire friend.”

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