Washington, DC — Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (MI-13) today supported H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The plan, which passed the House by a vote of 246 to 183, seeks to transform the economy for long-term growth and to increase America’s global competitiveness and energy independence. The Congresswoman released the following statement after its passage:

“America is in the middle of its greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression. Credit is frozen. We are at war in two different countries. In the last 13 months, we have lost 3.6 million jobs—two million of which have been lost during the last four months—and we are expected to lose another three to five million in the next year. Our challenge is to prevent the loss of additional jobs and to jumpstart our economy, while making smart investments in our future.  The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is a down payment toward the transformation of our economy.

“Families in the 13th Congressional District and the state of Michigan have been hardest hit by this economic downturn. Our foreclosure rate is skyrocketing. At nearly 11%, our unemployment rate is the highest in the nation. Confidence in the economy has waned. However, many have been buoyed by the promise and progress that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will deliver. The impact of this legislation may not be felt immediately, but I am confident it will help strengthen and stabilize our economy.

“While it is not perfect, this bill is a critical first step aimed at rebuilding America. This economic recovery plan will provide a foundation for economic security and stability by creating three to four million jobs and preparing our country for the 21st Century through targeted, timely investments in clean energy, innovation, and education.

“The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will bring jobs, relief, and hope to Michigan’s families. It includes strategic efforts directed at:

• Creating or saving 109,000 jobs in our state over the next two years; 
• Providing tax cuts to stimulate large and small businesses and to get consumers to buy new American made cars and providing a Making Work Pay tax cut, which is designed to start paying out immediately into workers’ paychecks, of up to $800 for more than 3.9 million workers and their families; 
• Modernizing roads and bridges to create jobs, with $847 million for projects in Michigan; 
• Making college more affordable with improved Pell Grants for 250,646 Pell Grant recipients in Michigan and a higher education tax credit for 121,000 students here; and 
• Helping workers hurt by the economy, including 519,300 Michiganders that are out of work, those who have lost their health care, and seniors.

“The bill also seeks to transform our economy with clean, efficient American innovation and technology that will create more than one million jobs, help those who cannot afford health care during these tough economic times, and lower health care costs and improve service by computerizing medical records, which will create hundreds of thousands of jobs. It will preserve jobs for teachers, police officers, health care workers and protect the vital services they provide. It will allow automobile manufacturers to develop the technology for advanced batteries and more efficient vehicles. It will rehabilitate and rebuild public schools and veteran’s hospitals in the State of Michigan. Now is the time for the U.S. Senate to quickly approve this conference report so that the President and Congress can solve the problems of the American people. 

“The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act includes no earmarked projects and unprecedented accountability and transparency measures to help ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and effectively. Americans can track investments at a new Website, www.recovery.gov.

“Henry Ward Beecher once said, ‘Troubles are often the tools by which God fashions us for better things.’ I hope this time of struggle, suffering, and sacrifice will encourage the sharing of resources and the strengthening of our collective spirit. As we work through this economic crisis, I encourage families to remain engaged in the process. By working together, we will build a better America.”