FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 16, 2009

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Donna F. Edwards (D-MD) today voted for the Jobs for Main Street Act, which passed the House by a vote of 217-212.  Rep. Edwards was a strong proponent of this legislation and had language included in the legislation that she and several other Members championed.  The Jobs for Main Street Act will create or save jobs here at home with targeted investments for highways and transit, school renovation, hiring teachers, police, and firefighters, small businesses, job training, and affordable housing.

“The Jobs for Main Street Act will create needed jobs across the country, while also providing additional assistance to those in need,” said Rep. Edwards.  “I am pleased that my colleagues and I were able to secure the inclusion of several important ‘Buy America’ provisions, which will increase dramatically the amount of federal funding that goes to creating American jobs, while adding transparency to the murky system of ‘Buy America’ waivers.  As we continue to pull ourselves out of this recession, it is important to remember that if we buy America, we will build America.”

The bill extends unemployment and COBRA benefits ensuring that those still looking for jobs receive the assistance they need to pay the bills and retain health care coverage.  Additionally, the bill injects $48 billion dollars into job creation by funding important projects across our nation that will help put people to work rebuilding our crumbling roads and bridges, modernizing public buildings, and cleaning our air and water.  It also devotes $26.7 billion to make sure communities have the police, firefighters, and teachers they need.

Congresswoman Edwards was part of a team of members, including Reps. Betty Sutton (D-OH), Bruce Braley (D-IA), Mike Michaud (D-ME), and Dan Lipinski (D-IL), who worked closely with the House Leadership to ensure that “Buy America” provisions were included.  These provisions will result in additional American jobs being created by this bill, and in future infrastructure funding measures.  The provisions also encourage companies securing federal contracts make an effort to hire American workers first, and if they end up outsourcing these jobs they must clearly explain why they could not use domestic suppliers and workers.

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