Sessions Statement on Senate-House Stimulus Bill

Washington, DC – U.S. Congressman Pete Sessions today released the following statement in response to House approval of the $789 billion ($1.1 trillion with interest) Democrat House-Senate “Economic Stimulus” bill:

 

“The American people are hurting as unemployment rises and the economy contracts, and they are making tough financial decisions to make ends meet. Meanwhile, this Democrat Majority Congress has chosen to capitalize on an economic crisis by passing a trillion dollar spending spree that offers very little hope of job creation or economic growth.  

 

“Unfortunately for the American taxpayer, this ‘stimulus’ bill has gone from bad to worse as small business tax relief has been reduced to a mere one-third of one percent of the bill while the cost of the bill exceeds the current cost of the entire Iraq war. Instead of stimulating the economy by allowing more families and businesses to keep more of what they earn, the bill will grow the size of government and increase the national debt ceiling to a record $12 trillion. With $97 billion for 31 new government programs, $2 billion available for ACORN, $300 million for “green” golf carts for the federal government, and $50 million for the National Endowment for the Arts, this bill is more about stimulating the government and rewarding political allies than growing the economy and creating jobs.

 

“Our struggling economy requires decisive, sensible solutions, and House Republicans have proposed an economic growth plan that would create twice as many jobs at half the cost, according to the methodology used by President Obama’s senior economic advisors.  Our common-sense plan would provide tax relief for American families and businesses to save, spend or invest; extend unemployment benefits for Americans between jobs; and help housing market stabilization by encouraging responsible buyers to enter the marketplace.