Job Creation and Unemployment Relief Act of 2008
Floor Speech
JOB CREATION AND UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF ACT OF 2008 -- (House of Representatives - September 26, 2008)
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Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, as we try to prevent our financial markets from breaking down, we can never forget the middle class families across this Nation who bear the brunt and continue struggling every day 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 last week, the highest number of weekly claims since shortly after 9/11. In Connecticut, unemployment climbed to 6.9 percent in August, topping the national average. That is why I support this economic recovery package, targeted investment to jump-start this economy and create quality jobs.
This bill makes 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 for the States to immediately fund much-needed school maintenance, and still more innovative green infrastructure, Amtrak maintenance and public housing construction projects.
This is about making a direct and an immediate impact, creating jobs, jobs that cannot be outsourced, spurring economic growth and putting our Nation on a better path, not just for today but for the future.
I urge my colleagues to support this economic recovery package.
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