January 28, 2009

Congressman Gregory Meeks Votes for H.R.1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

(WASHINGTON, DC)–Today, Congressman Gregory Meeks voted in favor of H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that will create and save 3 to 4 million American jobs, which was approved by a vote of 244-to-188.

“Today, the House has voted in favor of critical legislation that will help get the U.S. economy back on track. America is facing the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression with 2.6 million American jobs lost. This measure will bring about the much needed change required to create American jobs immediately and provide economic relief to jobless Americans currently seeking employement,” said Congressman Gregory Meeks.

To ensure that these job creation goals are met, the Obama Administration has pledged that 75 percent of these job creating investments will get into the economy in the next 18 months. America is facing an economic crisis greater than any since the Great Depression, with a staggering 2.6 million American jobs lost.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is critical legislation that was developed with the Obama Administration that was created to help rebuild America from this severe economic down turn. This legislation has the power to make the U.S. more globally competitive and energy dependent, transform our economy for long term grown, give 95 percent of American workers an immediate tax cut and enable American citizens to invest quickly in the economy.

This jobs and economic recovery plan contains targeted efforts in:

• Transforming Our Economy With Clean, Efficient, American Energy and Innovation and Technology that will create more than 1 million  jobs;
• Lowering Health Care Costs by funding aggressive adoption of health information technology, which will create hundreds of thousands of jobs, and Broadening Coverage by helping those who cannot afford health care in these tough times.;
• Modernizing Roads, Bridges, Transit and Waterways to create 1.5 million American jobs;
• Education for the 21st Century, including an increased Pell Grant and a higher education tax credit for those students in need  so that they can stay in college despite these tough times;
• Tax Cuts of up to $1,000 to Make Work Pay for  families in need  and more than $20 billion for American businesses, large and small, to spur job creation;
• Helping Workers Hurt by the Economy, including those that are out of work, those who have lost their health care, and seniors; and
• Saving the Jobs of Teachers and Police Officers.

“It was important to me that any legislation developed to help rebuild our nation and help protect American jobs has strong oversight and accountability provisions, and does not include earmarks. I am very pleased with the proposed outcomes of this legislation and believe that it will provide continued financial growth and economic stability for our country. I believe that is ultra-important that we have government oversight to provide protection to U.S. taxpayers, businesses and homeowners and that is exactly what this bill entails,” said Congressman Gregory Meeks.

Now serving in his sixth full-term, Meeks was elected to the House on February 3, 1998. Representing New York's Sixth Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives, Meeks' district covers all towns of Southeast Queens, Far Rockaway and Howard Beach. He is a member of the House Committee on Financial Services and the Committee on Foreign Affairs.  Meeks became Chairman of the International Monetary Policy Subcommittee in 2009 under the House Financial Services Committee. Meeks is a Member of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), New Democrats Caucus and the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC).  He serves as the Co-chair of the Malaysia Caucus, Services Caucus, Dialogue Caucus and the Middle East Economic Partnership Caucus. 

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