FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 6, 2009
LARSON NOMINATES PELOSI FOR SPEAKER, LAYS OUT SWEEPING PLANS FOR ECONOMY
Includes tax cuts for the middle class and targeted investments
Washington, DC – The 111th Congress was opened today with the swearing in of new members and the election of Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House. Congressman John B. Larson in his role as Chairman of the Democratic Caucus, nominated her for the post. Following the swearing in, he said:
“I am humbled today to have taken the oath of office for my sixth term as the Congressman from Connecticut’s First District and to have placed the honorable Nancy Pelosi’s name in nomination as Speaker of the House of Represenatives.
“There is much to do and I am happy to welcome the new freshman class as they join in our efforts. I am particularly excited to have Congressman Jim Himes joining the Connecticut congressional delegation.
“We have great challenges before us – first and foremost the struggling economy. American families are feeling squeezed by the tough budget choices they face in order to make ends meet. Too many are losing their homes, jobs and hopes for the future.“I am honored to have been elected by my colleagues to serve as Chairman of the Democratic Caucus at this pivotal time. I will work with the other members of leadership and my colleagues from around the country to provide short term help and long term solutions for our country’s economic problems.
“America’s middle class and small businesses are the bedrock of our communities and the engine of our economy. That bedrock has been badly shaken by the current economic crisis. For years, Democrats in Congress have been fighting for tax relief for the middle class and small businesses. Now, our Recovery and Reinvestment Plan will give us the opportunity to enact tax cuts that put them first. We can provide small businesses with the tax benefits they need to create jobs and families with the tax breaks they need to help make ends meet.“We will invest in meaningful infrastructure projects that create jobs and spur economic growth in the short term while providing real value in the long term. Targeted investment in our schools, transportation system, cities and towns are critical. We will create the world’s most effective and efficient health care system that expands coverage and lowers costs for more Americans. We will build a comprehensive K-12 and higher education system that prepares all of our children for a new technologically advanced economy.
“And we must provide this all with the highest level of accountability. We need to restore Americans’ faith in government to spend their money wisely and responsibly. And, we must ensure that we are getting maximum return for every tax dollar we invest into these programs.
“This is a tall order. But, I believe with President-elect Obama and the new Democratic Congress we are poised to meet our goals.”
###
