Murray Ensures Economic Recovery Package Invests in Washington State

Press Release

Murray Ensures Economic Recovery Package Invests in Washington State

Murray includes billions to help create jobs, improve roads and highways, build energy grid, and accelerate clean-up at Hanford Nuclear Reservation in Senate passed bill

Today, U. S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) helped to pass the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, a bill aimed at taking bold action to put Americans back to work and get the nation's economy back on track. As a member of the U.S. Senate leadership, Senator Murray worked to include a number of Washington state priorities in the bill that will provide a unique boost to Washington's economy and create family-wage jobs throughout the state. The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 61-37.

"Our state is hurting," said Senator Murray. "It's hard to find anyone in our state who doesn't have a friend, a neighbor, or a family member who hasn't recently lost a job or isn't struggling just to get by. Last week, we saw job fair lines that stretched around Qwest Field even as companies continued to announce layoffs throughout our state. Each day more jobs are being cut, small businesses are closing their doors, homes are being lost and families are making new sacrifices just to make ends meet.

"Washingtonians are calling out for bold and immediate action. Today we answered.

"The bill we passed today is not perfect and it's not the only step needed to fix a badly broken economy. However, it does invest in proven ways to get workers back on the job and our economy back on track. This bill will help fix our crumbling roads, rebuild our aging energy grid, and give working families more of their paycheck. It will also make long-term investments that will help our state and country compete in a global economy.

"Our economy won't turn around overnight and there are still hard times ahead. But we also need to remember how hard it is for the millions of Americans who, through no fault of their own, are waking up each morning without a job. This bill is about getting them back to work and returning security and confidence to the American people.

"As we move forward, I urge my colleagues to continue to work together, to put aside their differences and stay focused on sending President Obama a bill that creates jobs and gets commerce going again. Delay and inaction are not options the American people can afford right now."

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