Rep. Andrews Backs Plan to Preserve American Jobs

I voted for the Auto Industry Financing and Restructuring Act because it prevents over 500,000 Americans from losing their jobs in the coming weeks. This bill prevents losses to taxpayers that would be far greater than the amount of the loans provided in the bill and it requires the auto industry to make changes in order to survive and prosper in the long run. Failure to pass this bill would result in more lost jobs, higher taxes for taxpayers and the loss of an American industry that is vital to national security.

My vote for this bill was based on the fact that it saves American jobs that could be lost in the next few weeks. Without a loan for the auto industry, the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) estimates that New Jersey is likely to lose about 65,000 jobs or 1.6% of its total employment.   EPI estimates that the total number of jobs lost nationwide as a result of failure of the auto industry would be about 3.3 million. America lost over 500,000 jobs in November and we must act to stop these job losses.

Failure to pass this plan would have created great expenses for the taxpayers. These expenses would have greatly exceeded the $15 billion price tag for these loans. Specifically, the Medicaid, unemployment benefits, food stamps and lost tax revenues we would bear would have cost the taxpayers $50 billion in 2009 and $108 billion over the next three years.

People will only see increases in their home equity, retirement savings and paychecks when consumers once again feel confident enough to buy houses, cars and other items. The loss of 3.3 million jobs would further undercut consumer confidence at a time when we need that confidence lifted.

The country needs this industry in order to produce the manufactured goods and vehicles necessary to defend the county. Maintaining an industry that can produce manufactured goods is essential to our national security.

The evidence shows that these loans will keep the auto companies alive long enough to make the changes they must make in order to grow and thrive in the long run. This is a loan that the auto industry must repay. With this loan, the auto companies are prohibited from paying huge salaries and bonuses to their top 25 employees, or dividends to their shareholders until the loans made by the taxpayers are repaid. They also must immediately begin to shift their production to more energy efficient vehicles of the future.

Ending this terrible recession is our top national priority. This recession would certainly get worse if the auto industry in America is allowed to fail.

STIMULUS PAYMENT FOR SENIOR CITIZENS AND VETERANS

Due to the recent Stimulus Package, individuals who receive Social Security benefits and/or Veterans benefits that were not required to file a tax return in the past will have to do so this year in order to receive their stimulus payments. The IRS will be sending out detailed information packets at the end of March guiding those who receive these benefits through the forms.

These forms should be very easy to fill out and there is no need to pay anyone to complete the paperwork. If you have any problems or difficulties, there are numerous resources you can turn to for help including:

The County Division of Senior Services
The Volunteer Tax Assistance Program (1-800-906-9887)
The Tax Counseling For the Elderly Program (1-888-227-7669)
www.aarp.org

CHILDREN’S DEFENSE FUND ACTION COUNCIL NAMES REP. ANDREWS AMONG THE “BEST REPRESENTATIVES FOR CHILDREN”

I am truly humbled that the Children’s Defense Fund Action Council (CDFAC) named me one of the “Best Representatives for Children.” The CDFAC today released its 2007 Nonpartisan Congressional Scorecard, which grades every Member of Congress based on key votes affecting children, and I am proud to say that I voted to protect the health and well being of NJ’s children 100 percent of the time.  I was awarded this distinction by voting to support the first increase in the minimum wage in a decade, access and quality improvements in Head Start, and additional funds for student loans. ...more

REP. ANDREWS BACKS PLAN TO INVEST IN RENEWABLE ENERGY, CREATE NEW JOBS

Bill Would Slash Handouts for Oil Companies, Protect Our Environment ...more

LATEST NEWS
Rep. Andrews' Iraq Trip Photos >>
NEW – Minimum Wage Floor Statement, January 10, 2007
Click here to watch the House floor LIVE

Please click here to get the most up to date information on current proceedings on the floor of the House of Representatives. Here you will find information about bills, votes, amendments, and upcoming legislation in the House.