Capito Praises Bipartisan Economic Stimulus Agreement

Op-Ed

Capito Praises Bipartisan Economic Stimulus Agreement

Letter from Shelley

Friends and Colleagues,
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An economic stimulus package that will put money back into the hands of thousands of West Virginians was approved by both houses of Congress this week and I am particularly encouraged by how quickly members of both parties came together to head off economic uncertainty.

Economic Stimulus Agreement

On Thursday the House and the Senate both passed a strong bipartisan stimulus agreement that will now go to the president for his signature. This agreement was the product of hard work from both Democrats and Republicans, and most importantly, we were able to take action quickly to ensure that the stimulus will have the maximum affect on our economy.

Under the plan, low and middle income taxpayers - including senior citizens and veterans on a fixed income - will receive tax relief. The package also includes important incentives to spur business investment and job growth, along with increased flexibility for the Federal Housing Administration to assist at-risk homeowners. The measure also makes it clear that tax rebates will not go to illegal immigrants.

The bipartisan dialogue associated with this bill is truly a testament to what can be accomplished when both parties come together in search of common solutions.

New Report on Aid to Homeowners

This week also brought some rare good news from the housing sector as the HOPE NOW Alliance released some encouraging numbers about homeowners receiving assistance to avoid foreclosure.

HOPE NOW is an alliance between mortgage counselors and lenders that seeks to help borrowers struggling amidst the credit crunch to stay in their homes. According to a report released this week, more than 800,000 homeowners have received support through HOPE NOW.

As Congress continues its work to address the housing crunch, it's certainly welcome news to see so many homeowners receiving support.

Increased Reimbursements for Veterans

The Department of Veterans Affairs also announced this week that it will increase travel reimbursements for veterans forced to travel long-distances to receive care at a VA medical center.

The reimbursement amounts will more than double, which is welcome news to many of West Virginia's rural veterans who often live far from the nearest VA hospital.

Sincerely,

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Member of Congress

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