OPPOSES MEASURE FOCUSING ON EXPANDING FEDERAL PROGRAMS OVER PRIVATE-SECTOR ECONOMY – INCLUDES BILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR NON-JOBS PROGRAMS

Washington, Feb 13, 2009 - “Our nation is in an economic crisis and the American people re looking to their government for action,” stated Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL Sixth). “We should enact legislation that reinvigorates the economy through tax relief for businesses, individuals, and families; and targeted spending that creates jobs. Instead of strengthening the private-sector economy, much of this stimulus bill goes toward expanding the federal government. In addition, instead of providing immediate stimulation, only 23.4 percent of the funds in this bill will be spent in the current fiscal year. I am also concerned that many jobs resulting from this measure will be temporary instead of the steady employment the American worker needs.”

The House today approved H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the stimulus bill developed by the House and Senate leadership. The measure contains $789 in spending and tax relief, and with interest costs added, the measure exceeds $1 trillion.

“Through this bill, our nation will borrow $1 trillion to fund a massive expansion in federal programs,” noted Stearns. “H.R. 1 permanently increases the size of government by creating 33 new programs and permanently expanding 73 existing programs. The total growth of this growth in government is $188 billion, which is 60 percent of the total appropriations spending. Considering this $1 trillion, along with other spending, obligations, and guarantees by the Federal government, the American people will have committed $9.7 trillion (see pdf) to solve the economic crisis. This would be almost enough to pay off every single American’s home mortgage loan, which the Federal Reserve calculates to be $10.5 trillion.”

Explained Stearns, “Supporters of this bill say this spending is urgent, but it is riddled with funds for questionable and unwarranted projects. How does almost $200 million for Filipino veterans from WW II have to do with creating jobs here in America? Should we borrow $1 trillion to increase spending for the National Endowment for the Arts by $50 million, $2 billion for Neighborhood Stabilization Funds to support organizations such as ACORN, $5.5 billion for federal buildings, and $200 million for Americorps and other paid ‘volunteerism’ program. Also, this measure does not include the E-verify program to ensure that any jobs created by this measure goes to Americans instead of illegal immigrants.”

Questionable & Non-Stimulus Spending in H.R. 1

$50 million for the National Endowment for the Arts
$2 billion for the Neighborhood Stabilization Fund, providing funds to organizations such as ACORN, which has been accused of practicing unlawful voter registration in recent elections $10 million for the inspection of canals in urban areas
$100 million for grants to small shipyards $198 million to authorize payments to certain Filipino veterans from WWII
$300 million for the Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program
$2 billion to support the manufacturing of advanced vehicle batteries
$1 billion for Community Development Block Grants
$1.3 billion for Amtrak, including
$450 million for a new rail security grant program not included in either the House-passed or the Senate-passed bills
$300 million for federal procurement of plug-in and fuel efficient vehicles
$8 billion for a High Speed Passenger Rail Program, after the House did not include any funding for the program and the Senate included $2 billion, which will fund at least one project from Las Vegas to Los Angeles
$15 million for historic preservation at historically black colleges and universities
$170 million for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to research the cause, effects and ways to mitigate climate change
$200 million for Americorps and other paid “volunteerism” programs
$400 million for NASA to accelerate climate research missions
$5.5 billion for federal buildings (GSA), including $4.5 billion to convert federal buildings into “high-performance green buildings” and $450 million for a new headquarters for the Department of Homeland Security
$210 million for a new grant program to modify and upgrade local fire stations
$142 million for the Coast Guard to alter or remove 4 obstructive bridges
$25 million for the Smithsonian Institution for maintenance backlogs
$1 billion for expenses in conjunction with the 2010 decennial census
$650 million for Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupons
$1 billion for a Prevention and Wellness Fund, which can be used for sexually transmitted disease (STD) education and prevention programs at the CDC
$500 million to replace a 30-year old computer system at the Social Security Administration