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This past week, I met with local leaders including Mayor Michael Chaffee (pictured below) and Councilman D. James London of Lordstown, Mayor Marlene Anielski of Walton Hills, and Mayor Katherine Procop of Twinsburg and automotive dealership owners including Chuck Eddy (pictured below) here in Washington to discuss the effects of a bridge loan for the Big Three auto companies. The viewpoints expressed in these meetings made a very clear conclusion: denying these auto companies a bridge loan would have a catastrophic effect for every community in America.
For example, the local car dealers in my District, like Chuck Eddy who owns a Chrysler dealership in Youngstown, frequently invests thousands of dollars to fund projects at Youngstown State and Ohio State Universities. These dealers also create ad revenue for local newspapers, as well as support the numerous suppliers in the region and throughout the state.
One in every 10 jobs in our country is linked to the domestic auto companies, and the effects of rejecting this request for a bridge loan are too catastrophic to ignore. The measures placed on this loan, including a commitment to innovation and efficiency, strict accountability and oversight, and a time frame for repayment have ensured full confidence of its success. I proudly voted for it, and the measure passed with a vote of 237-170. I hope our colleagues in the Senate will join us by approving it for the President’s signature.
Mayor Chaffee (left) with Congressman Ryan Chuck Eddy (right) with Congressman Ryan
Congress recessed late last week and I am back at home in the 17th Congressional District. Like many Americans, I will have the privilege of celebrating Thanksgiving with my family. My thoughts and prayers are with those serving in uniform far from home.
As we celebrate this holiday, I am thankful for the honor of serving in Congress. We all share the hardship and uncertainty of an economy that has taken the worst turn since the Great Depression and the news is filled with the gloom of recession and bailout.
Even though this is a difficult time, I am optimistic and have hope that the new leadership of President-Elect Obama and a Democratic Majority in both the House and Senate will stop digging and begin to climb out of this hole. As we speak, The Obama Economic Team is working diligently to embark on a path to economic recovery that fosters both growth and stability.
I know that with your continued help and support we will successfully face the challenges ahead. The leaders of the Nation are determined and I am excited and honored to be a part.
Congress has reconvened for a brief moment, with the focus being the current crisis in the American auto industry. Before I explain my stance, I'd like to congratulate some of my colleagues. Today, we will be swearing in Congresswoman-elect Marcia Fudge (OH-11), who will occupy the seat vacated by my dear friend, the late Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones. I look forward to working with Marcia in the 111th Congress to move Ohio forward. In addition, I would like to congratulate the newly elected leadership for the Democratic Majority:
Speaker of the House: Nancy Pelosi of California Majority Leader: Steny Hoyer of Maryland Majority Whip: James E. Clyburn of South Carolina Democratic Caucus Chairman: John B. Larson of Connecticut Democratic Caucus Vice Chairman: Xavier Becerra of California Assistant to the Speaker and Chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee: Chris Van Hollen of Maryland
Last week, I authored a letter to Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Hoyer expressing the urgency to help American automakers. We need to ensure stability and stimulate growth in our domestic auto industry. With 5 million American jobs at stake, we can't afford to look the other way. In my district, the local GM plant in Lordstown is looking at laying off 1,060 employees. Government intervention will provide an opportunity for these automakers to develop advanced fuel efficient cars and renew American interest in buying domestic.
On Tuesday morning, I had the honor of cutting a ribbon at a facility in my Congressional District that will provide housing for homeless veterans. On any given night in the United States, 200,000 veterans are homeless. These are brave men and women who made great sacrifices and risked their lives to defend our country. As a response, my colleague, Mr. Green from Texas, introduced H.R. 3329, the Homes for Heroes Act. This act will expand housing assistance and supportive services for homeless veterans through a $200 million a year assistance program through The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), in addition to 20,000 rental housing vouchers available to homeless veterans and their families.
This bill will ensure that housing assistance will continue for the veterans’ families, even in the event of the veteran’s death. HUD will be required to submit an annual report in order to ensure that the housing needs of these homeless veterans are met, and that an appropriate allocation is maintained. I support this bill enthusiastically, and I am hoping my colleagues will join me. This bill continues my policy of honoring our country’s veterans and making sure that providing for veterans remains a focal point of our new direction in Congress.
