Rep. Eli Crane consistently questioned the federal government's efficiency in small-business lending, with most witnesses at a House Small Business Committee hearing expressing doubts about this efficiency (Arizona Daily Star, Cronkite News).
Crane argued against heavy federal involvement in small-business funding, stating he preferred limited government in these matters.
He specifically questioned whether the federal government, including the SBA, should be in the business of making small-business loans at all.
Crane positioned himself as a supporter of veteran entrepreneurs but shifted the discussion from improving SBA support to minimizing government loan involvement.
After the hearing, Crane reiterated his belief that small-businesses and Americans would be better served with the government staying out of small-business funding.
These positions highlight a potential vulnerability: removing or reducing federal support could impact access to crucial funding for small and veteran-owned businesses.
May 2023: Eli Crane Questioned Federal Government's Role In Small-Business Lending At House Small Business Committee Hearing According to Arizona Daily Star (Tucson), "Rep. Eli Crane, R-Oro Valley, took a different approach, going down the line of witnesses and asking each if they were 'impressed by the efficiency of the federal government.' Most said no, and one said it could be better." [Arizona Daily Star (Tucson), 5/24/23]
May 2023: Eli Crane Opposed Heavy Federal Involvement In Small-Business Funding According to Arizona Daily Star (Tucson), "Crane, a self-proclaimed 'champion for veteran entrepreneurs,' shifted the questions from how the SBA can be modified to better support veterans to whether the federal government should even be in the business of making small-business loans." [Arizona Daily Star (Tucson), 5/24/23]
May 2023: Eli Crane Advocated For Limited Federal Government In Small-Business Matters According to Arizona Daily Star (Tucson), "'I want to keep pushing back on this committee that thinks we're going to do a good job loaning money to veterans or to anybody else because you know what -- this town doesn't do a good job of loaning money to anybody,' Crane said." [Arizona Daily Star (Tucson), 5/24/23]
May 2023: Eli Crane Called For Federal Government To Stay Out Of Small-Business Funding According to Arizona Daily Star (Tucson), "But Crane said after the hearing that he thinks the small-business owners on Wednesday's panel, and Americans in general, would best be served if the federal government stayed out of small-business funding. 'I don't think that this town, and the SBA, should have a heavy hand in, you know, funding small businesses,' he said. 'I really don't. I think limited government is a good thing.'" [Arizona Daily Star (Tucson), 5/24/23]
May 2023: Eli Crane Questioned Federal Government Efficiency In Small Business Lending According to Cronkite News: Arizona State University, "Rep. Eli Crane, R-Oro Valley, took a different approach, going down the line of witnesses and asking each if they were 'impressed by the efficiency of the federal government.' Most said no, and one said it could be better." [Cronkite News: Arizona State University, 5/25/23]
May 2023: Eli Crane Opposed Federal Involvement In Small Business Loans According to Cronkite News: Arizona State University, "Crane, a self-proclaimed 'champion for veteran entrepreneurs,' shifted the questions from how the SBA can be modified to better support veterans to whether the federal government should even be in the business of making small-business loans." [Cronkite News: Arizona State University, 5/25/23]
May 2023: Eli Crane Criticized Federal Lending Practices According to Cronkite News: Arizona State University, 'I want to keep pushing back on this committee that thinks we're going to do a good job loaning money to veterans or to anybody else because you know what -- this town doesn't do a good job of loaning money to anybody,' Crane said. [Cronkite News: Arizona State University, 5/25/23]
May 2023: Eli Crane Advocated For Limited Government Role In Small Business Funding According to Cronkite News: Arizona State University, "But Crane said after the hearing that he thinks the small-business owners on Wednesday's panel, and Americans in general, would best be served if the federal government stayed out of small business funding. 'I don't think that this town, and the SBA, should have a heavy hand in, you know, funding small businesses,' he said. 'I really don't. I think limited government is a good thing.'" [Cronkite News: Arizona State University, 5/25/23]