Stimulus Package

Floor Speech

STIMULUS PACKAGE -- (House of Representatives - February 11, 2009)

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Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I just got off a call with Carolyn Greco, a constituent of mine from Lumber City Borough in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania. Now, this young lady, who is now retired, has voted in every primary and general election since her 21st birthday; yet, she has never called an elected official before to voice her concern regarding legislation until this now so-called stimulus package.

When asked why, her response was somewhat heartening: "I had faith in the system,'' a notion that she is now questioning for the first time in her life based on this legislation alone. Let me repeat that. She had faith in the system, a notion she is now questioning for the first time in her life based on the stimulus package alone.

Mr. Speaker, the more the American people have an opportunity to evaluate and dissect this massive spending measure, the more frustrated they grow. Does Congress need to act? Absolutely.

House Republicans stand ready to work with our counterparts across the aisle, if given the opportunity to sit at the table, to craft a package that creates and preserves jobs, invests in our roads and bridges, and offers tax relief to middle-class Americans and small business owners. I don't think you can find one person in this Chamber who believes that we should wait this out.

But this backroom deal is not what the American people want nor deserve. Yesterday the Secretary of the Treasury spoke about accountability and transparency. It is time for the House and Senate Democratic leadership to heed the Secretary's advice and instill that same transparency and accountability into the legislative process.

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