Smith Opposes Conference Report

Press Release

Smith Opposes Conference Report

Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) today voted against the $789 billion economic stimulus conference report, legislation expected to cost more than $1 trillion when factoring in interest costs and which was rushed through the House of Representatives little more than 14 hours after being made public; The bill passed 246-183 with one Member voting "present."; The vote result was largely along party lines, with seven Democrats joining all Republicans in opposing the measure.

"The scale of this bill is breathtaking. If this bill was another nation's GDP, it would be the 16th largest economy in the world. We are in a serious recession, and Congress has the responsibility to take steps to ensure our economy recovers as quickly as possible.

"However, this so-called stimulus is simply a wish list of big government spending. It isn't transparent, it won't provide the kind of job creation or tax relief our economy needs, and funds governmental programs which have nothing to do with stimulating our economy," Smith said.

Smith pointed to questionable spending in the bill, including $300 million for federal procurement of plug-in and fuel efficient vehicles, $1.3 billion for Amtrak, $50 million for the National Endowment for the Arts, $2 billion for Neighborhood Stabilization Programs - including ACORN, an organization which has been accused of practicing unlawful voter registration.

A total of 106 federal government programs are created or expanded through this legislation, including the creation of 33 new programs and the permanent expansion of 73 existing programs.

On Tuesday, House Republicans offered a motion requiring the bill be posted online for at least 48 hours before any vote in the House or the Senate would occur. The motion passed unanimously, with bipartisan support. Still, the conference report became available just hours before the vote was called.

"I understand the necessity to move quickly, but ramming legislation of this size and scope without even 24 hours to look at it is a disservice to the American people and flies in the face of our responsibility to our constituents. Passing this legislation today simply to hit an arbitrary deadline is the height of irresponsibility," Smith said.

Smith supports legislation which would reduce for taxpayers the lowest individual tax rates from 15 percent to 10 percent and from 10 percent to 5 percent. Under this proposal, taxpayers would experience an increase in their after-tax income of up to $1,200 on average. A married couple which files jointly could keep up to $3,400 more a year under the plan Smith supports, compared to $800 in the conference report.

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