WASHINGTON,
D.C. – During a Capitol Hill news conference today, U.S. Representative
Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) urged rejection of the Republican so-called economic
stimulus packaged and support for the Democratic alternative. She
said, “The choice is clear when it comes to stimulating the economy – either
you are on the side of workers and families or huge corporations.
The Democrats are offering a economic stimulus package that will boost
the economy, offer help to those who need it, and is paid for.”
Pointing
to the Republican so-called stimulus plan, she added, “The Republican package
shamelessly raids the Treasury at a time of crisis on behalf of the wealthiest
corporations and barely throws a bone to unemployed workers. Republicans
are pushing their worn out agenda of tax cuts that their lobbyist friends
were demanding even before the sirens were silent at ground zero.
That is just shameless pandering”
“I
call on the President and all members, Republicans and Democrats, who care
about those unemployed Americans suffering from the double hit of the economic
downturn and the fallout from September 11 to reject this outrageous plan,”
Schakowsky said.
“The
choice could not be any clearer. Whose side are you on – special
interests or American families? It’s a no-brainer. It
is unbelievable and inconceivable that anyone would vote for this irresponsible
bill,” Schakowsky added. She called on the President and Republicans
“to be responsible and stand with the American people.”
The
Democratic economic stimulus plan would expand unemployment benefits by
25% or $65 per week, which ever is greater and extends benefits an additional
26 weeks; provide federal payments of 75% of COBRA for one year and assistance
for states to offer Medicaid coverage to low-income unemployed individuals
and their families; provide a tax rebate to individuals who filed tax returns
in 2000, but did not receive a rebate under the Bush tax plan; and creates
$11 billion in interest free financing for school construction and modernization.
The
Republican bill offers only minimal unemployment and healthcare assistance,
while giving companies $20 billion in tax benefits to operate overseas.
It includes a permanent reduction in the capital gains tax, 72% of which
would benefit the wealthiest 2% of the people.
Schakowsky
is the author of the First Things First Act of 2001, H.R. 2999, a sound
economic initiative that will help the federal government meet the long-term
critical needs of millions of Americans and respond to the September 11th
terrorist attacks. The First Things First Act would put on hold parts
of President Bush’s tax cut that benefit the wealthy, thus freeing hundreds
of billions of dollars as a down payment for domestic priorities. |