WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV issued the following statement regarding President Obama’s proposed initiative to consolidate several commerce- and trade-related agencies:

“It is the right time to elevate small business to the top of our national priorities, and we need more ideas for saving taxpayer dollars and making government more efficient.  With any significant reorganization, it is also important to put a premium on maintaining proven expertise on matters critical to the economy.  We will be taking a hard look at the details of this plan and listening carefully to the concerns of those impacted.”

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