Sen. Bennet's Statement on Senate Passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

Press Release

Sen. Bennet's Statement on Senate Passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

Bill will Create Projected 63,000 Jobs in Colorado, Strengthen the Economy and Invest in America's Future

Today, the United States Senate passed H.R. 1, The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. United States Senator Michael Bennet voted in favor of the measure, which was approved by a vote of 61 to 37.

"America's economy is in crisis. Colorado families and families across the nation are struggling. Jobs are being slashed and wages are being cut. People are losing their homes and businesses are shutting their doors. State and city governments are scaling back on essential services.

"With economists projecting a recession that could last years, the risk of doing nothing is far too great. We need to act -- and act now -- to turn our struggling economy around.

"Today, we responded by passing an economic recovery plan that will save or create millions of good-paying jobs, jump-start our economy and lay the foundation for long-term economic growth. It combines over $350 billion in tax relief for middle-class families, small businesses and students struggling to pay the cost of college tuition with targeted investments in energy, education, and transportation that will help create jobs and grow our economy.

"And we have focused the investments this bill makes on projects and programs that will create jobs and get our economy moving again. I was proud to be a part of the bipartisan group of Senators who worked together to lay the groundwork for a compromise plan that accomplishes these important goals.

"While this bill contains historic spending increases for education, I am hopeful that during conference negotiations there will be an opportunity to restore a portion of the education funding that was scaled back here in the Senate.

"We have a tough road ahead and our situation will not change overnight. But now, with the passage of this legislation, we can begin the difficult task of rebuilding our economy and putting America back to work."

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