Fortenberry Reacts to President Obama Remarks

Washington, DC - Congressman Jeff Fortenberry today released this statement following President Obama' televised press conference on the economy last night:

“I think President Obama clearly cares deeply about our economic challenges, and I appreciate his direct outreach to House Members. It is, however, unfortunate that the process has resulted in the Washington spending bill before us, which is unrestrained, unsustainable, and will be very difficult to reverse. There is no plan to pay for it, leaving an unfair debt burden to our children and future generations.

“It has become a Washington mantra that excessive spending is an appropriate way to create jobs. Government has grown by nearly 60 percent since the beginning of the decade, and economic conditions have deteriorated. This bill also significantly subsidizes states. Nebraskans have thus far managed circumstances fairly well, and I cannot ask Nebraskans for pay for poor governance in California, New York, Illinois, and other states that have not as responsibly managed their budgets.

“I do not want to see any American suffer unemployment or foreclosure, or any business suffer a downturn, but I remain concerned that this aggressive spending, in the name of stimulus, is not the appropriate remedy.”

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