WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a senior member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, made the following remarks in response to a Texas court order against some activities of the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA).

“The federal government has a responsibility to address longstanding and historical discrimination against people of color in our country. That’s why I oppose legal attacks against federal equity programs and agencies like the Minority Business Development Agency. These programs provide tailored programming for these communities to address the discrimination that they face.

“The MBDA mission is to level the playing field for entrepreneurs in all parts of our country who face historic barriers to starting and growing businesses. Created by executive order, MBDA programs have always enjoyed bipartisan support. Last Congress, I fought – with bipartisan support – to ensure the MBDA was codified permanently to provide stability and adequate resources to carry out this mission.

“To say that I am disappointed in the Texas court decision regarding MBDA programs would be a grave understatement. Along with constitutional experts, I am still reviewing the finer details of the court decision, but what I do know is that MBDA programs to support minority communities throughout rural, urban and suburban America must continue. The grants, training, research and resources provided by MBDA have made a demonstrable difference. We cannot allow this court ruling to reverse this progress. I will continue to fight to preserve programs that address historic discrimination and uplift our minority communities.”