Getting our economy back on track so that it works for working Americans is one of the Congresswoman's most important priorities. Americans are ready to meet the challenges of the 21st century, and they deserve a government that will equip businesses and families with the tools to succeed in the new economy - especially in the areas of education, health care, and energy.

Congresswoman Halvorson supports continued investments in priorities that will sustain a strong middle class - while balancing these priorities with an acknowledgement that sustained progress is only possible through fiscal responsibility. By equipping families and businesses with the tools they need to create jobs and succeed and maintaining a streamlined, efficient government, Congresswoman Halvorson believes we can lead our nation to a more prosperous, secure future.

Important Issues in the 111th Congress:

Stimulus

Congresswoman Halvorson voted in favor of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, also known as the stimulus bill, which included unprecedented investments in clean energy jobs, infrastructure, green job training, and renewable energy investments. This package included:

• Tax cuts for 95% of American workers through the Making Work Pay Tax Cut, which is a refundable tax credit of up to $400 per worker ($800 per couple filing jointly), and phases out at $95,000 for single filers ($190,000 for couples),
• $27.5 billion for highway construction, which will create more than 750,000 jobs through investment in transportation infrastructure,
• $53.6 billion for a State Fiscal Stabilization Fund, which provides local school districts with the resources they need to restore state education cuts, prevent teacher layoffs, prevent other education cutbacks, and to modernize, renovate, and repair public schools,
• An extension of the unemployment benefits schedule to help those who have lost their job. According to economic estimates, every dollar invested in unemployment benefits creates at least $1.63 in economic activity, further investing in our economy.

Pay-Go

Congresswoman Halvorson understands the importance of balancing the budget and ensuring we do not increase the burden on our children and grandchildren by failing to pay for the initiatives Congress enacts. That is why Congresswoman Halvorson voted to require the House of Representative to comply with Pay-As-You-Go rules (H.Res. 5), which means bills must be paid for in order to pass the House, with the exception of emergency spending, such as emergency defense spending. Congresswoman Halvorson was also an original cosponsor and voted in favor of H.R. 2920, the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2009. This bill will ensure that all laws enacted by Congress and signed by the President are fully paid for ensuring that we do not add to the budget deficit.

Bailout Bill

Congresswoman Halvorson believes that we need to continue to invest in Main Street instead of providing bailouts for those that got us into the financial crisis in which we find ourselves today. Congresswoman Halvorson opposed the bank bailout and voted to stop the last traunche of funds from being released for use by the Treasury.

Tax Relief for the Middle Class

Congresswoman Halvorson believes the number one way to get our economy back on track is to invest in our middle class. Congresswoman Halvorson:

• Voted in favor of H.Con.Res. 85, the Congressional Budget for Fiscal Year 2010, which cuts taxes for middle income families by more than $1.7 trillion over 10 years, including reducing income tax rates, providing marriage penalty relief, and increasing the child tax credit,
• Led an effort to include protection in the stimulus package for more than 26 million middle-class families from the alternative minimum tax in 2009,
• Voted in favor of the Child Tax Credit to cut taxes for families of more than 16 million children,
• Voted in favor of a $2,500 tax credit for families of more than 4 million students who want to attend college,
• Supported and urged inclusion in the stimulus bill of an $8000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers directed to those making less than $80,000 per year.