DeLauro Statement on the Economic Recovery Package

Statement

DeLauro Statement on the Economic Recovery Package

As families in Connecticut and across the country continuing to struggle under the failing economy Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-3) spoke on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives in support of the economic recovery legislation, which will boost our economy, create jobs, and help provide additional relief to families who are struggling. The Job Creation and Unemployment Relief Act (H.R. 7110) will grow our economy and create jobs through investment in our nation's infrastructure; extend unemployment benefits for the growing number of Americans looking for work; help ensure families don't go hungry with Food Stamp assistance; and ensure Americans do not lose health coverage as a result of state budget crises. The bill passed the House by a vote of 264-158.

Over the past months, DeLauro has continued to advocate for the inclusion of funding for infrastructure in any economic stimulus. (please click here, here, here, here) This includes writing a letter with 37 of her colleagues to House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman James Oberstar.

Below is the text of DeLauro's floor statement:

Mr. Speaker, as we try to prevent our financial markets from breaking down on Wall Street, we can never forget the middle class families across this nation who bear the brunt and continue struggling everyday just to get by.

I believe our government has a responsibility to help get our economy back on track and make opportunity real in our communities and for our families. But with soaring energy prices, rising foreclosures and a Republican economy that continues to shed more jobs and produce less income, middle class families are at great risk.

There were more than 490,000 new filings for state jobless benefits filed last week - the highest number of weekly claims since shortly after 9/11. In Connecticut, unemployment climbed to 6.5 percent in August, topping the national average. That is why I support this economic recovery package - targeted investment to jumpstart this economy and create quality jobs.

$2.6 billion for Food Stamps so families faced by rising food prices are not forced to go hungry. An additional 7 weeks of extended benefits for workers who have exhausted regular unemployment compensation.

And a serious commitment to our national infrastructure. According to state transportation departments, there are $18 billion in ready-to-go infrastructure projects across the country. This bill provides $12.8 billion, for those projects that can start right away, begin creating quality jobs, and rebuild our nation's aging highways, roads and bridges.

$6.5 billion for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and $1 billion for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund to repair, rehabilitate and expand water systems, many of which are over 50 years old. $3 billion to the states to immediately fund much needed school maintenance. And still more for innovative ‘green' infrastructure, Amtrak maintenance, and public housing construction projects.

This is about making a direct and immediate impact - creating jobs, spurring economic growth, and putting our nation on better path, not just today but for the future. I urge my colleagues to support this economic recovery package.

Fact Sheet

The Job Creation and Unemployment Relief Act (H.R. 7110)

INFRASTRUCTURE

In order to have an immediate effect on the economy, investments are made in infrastructure projects that can start fast, meet existing needs, and create jobs. These projects provide short term benefit by putting people to work and buying goods, but leave behind long term infrastructure improvements that will benefit Americans for years to come.

Highway Infrastructure: $12.8 billion, for our nation's aging highways and bridges, to improve safety and reduce traffic congestion.

Corps of Engineers: $5 billion to invest in the nation's water resource infrastructure with improved flood protection, navigation and hydropower and to increase the efficiency of existing water infrastructure.

Fixing Crumbling Schools: $3 billion to repair crumbling schools, provide students with first class technology, and to improve energy efficiency. One-third of public school buildings need extensive repair or total replacement and two-thirds have environmental problems unhealthy for children.

Clean Water: $7.5 billion for drinking water and sewer projects including $6.5 billion for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and $1 billion for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund to repair, rehabilitate and expand water systems, many of which are over 50 years old and $300 million for Bureau of Reclamation water projects, including $98 million to provide clean, reliable drinking water to rural areas and $126 million to ensure adequate water supply to western localities impacted by drought.

Transit: $3.6 billion to purchase buses and equipment needed to expand public transportation and to make improvements to facilities and $1 billion to meet growing demand for public transportation due to higher gas prices while reducing American gasoline consumption. Rising fuel costs have some transit agencies facing service reductions or fare increases.

Airport Improvement Grants: $600 million, for projects to improve safety and reduce delays at our nation's airports.

AMTRAK: $500 million, to make necessary upgrades to tracks and stations so that Amtrak can meet growing demand due to high gas prices. This year ridership has increased by 8 percent on the Northeast Corridor and 13 percent on other corridor routes.

Public Housing: $1 billion for repair and construction projects, including critical safety repairs. Every dollar of Capital Fund expenditures produces $2.12 in economic return.

ENERGY DEVELOPMENT

Advanced Battery Technology Loans: $1 billion to support $3.3 billion in loans to encourage the manufacture of advanced vehicle batteries and battery systems - a key component to fuel efficient cars - in the United States.

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy: $500 million to accelerate the development of technologies that will contribute to a reliable, domestic energy supply.

Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability: $100 million to modernize the electric grid, make energy infrastructure more secure and reliable, and speed recovery from disruptions to the energy supply.

ADRESSING NEEDS IN TOUGH TIMES

Extension of Unemployment Benefits: Provides an additional 7 weeks of extended benefits for workers who have exhausted regular unemployment compensation (20 total weeks). Workers in high unemployment states are eligible for an additional 13 weeks of benefits (33 total weeks). Extending unemployment benefits is one of the quickest, most cost-effective forms of economic stimulus because workers who have lost their paychecks spend benefits quickly.

Medicaid Assistance: Provides a temporary increase in the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) for Medicaid health costs, with increases from one to four percent, at a time of increasing enrollment. These funds will prevent cuts to health insurance and health care services for low-income children and families, as well as generate business activities, jobs, wages and State sales tax revenues that States would otherwise not see.

Food Assistance: $2.6 billion to address rising food costs for seniors, people with disabilities and very poor families with children. This year, an average of 27.8 million individuals, and 12.5 million households, received food stamps.

Job Training: $500 million to help Americans find and prepare for good jobs including $400 million is for dislocated worker and youth employment activities and $100 million to provide customized help to folks receiving unemployment benefits. Unemployment claims have increased by over 38% this year and 36% exhaust their benefits before finding work.

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