I was pleased to take this oath and continue providing a voice for Arkansas’ children, working families, and seniors at our nation’s Capitol, and it is for my constituents that I pledge to continue this work.  I took this oath for our seniors, our greatest generation, whose health and welfare it is our duty to ensure.  I took it for our farm families who provide our nation with a safe and reliable source for food and fiber.  I took it for our children who need our help to ensure they receive the best education possible, and I took this oath for our working families who are struggling in our current economy.

This week in Congress there was much talk about what steps to take to help stimulate our economy – and between the economic stimulus packages and the extension of unemployment benefits, I think we’re on the right track, though I still believe there is more we can do.

Amid these talks, House Democrats unveiled a plan that would create approximately 1 million jobs, pumping $136 billion into the struggling economy by putting money in the hands of consumers, encouraging businesses to create jobs, and investing in a secure and healthy future – without digging ourselves deeper in debt.  

The plan puts money in the hands of consumers who drive the economy by giving a $300 tax rebate to every working American and extending unemployment benefits.  It provides an immediate tax relief for small businesses to generate investment and jobs.  It gives money to states for transportation, homeland security and health care, and it extends unemployment benefits for workers whose insurance has run out and who have still been unable to find jobs in this sluggish economy. 

We don’t need a plan that benefits Wall Street; we need a plan that will help Main Street, small businesses, and working families. 

I’d like to remind everyone that