DELAURO APPLAUDS INITIATIVES INCLUDED IN OBAMA JOBS PLAN

Washington, D.C.— Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-3), Ranking Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, issued the following statement praising the initiatives included in President Obama's joint address to Congress last night.

"President Obama's speech was rightly focused on job creation, and about how to good, well-paying jobs, initiate and sustain economic growth, and support middle class American families now and as we move forward.

"I was especially pleased to hear the President include several initiatives that I have proposed, including a National Infrastructure Bank, the Fix America's Schools Today (FAST) Act, the Fair Employment Opportunity Act, and the Layoff Prevention Act. Taken together, these bills will help to create jobs, get our economy right, and reduce our national deficit.

"The concept of a National Infrastructure Bank Act is one that I have been working on since 1994. Such a bank would leverage private investment to build public infrastructure projects of significance, including transportation, water, energy, and telecommunications. We will be able to make the improvements to our infrastructure that competition in the global economy requires while creating good, well-paying American jobs.

"Another critical infrastructure issue is in our nation's deteriorating schools. The Fix America's Schools Today (FAST) Act, which I will soon introduce, will put Americans back to work while giving states and school districts funding to do maintenance and repair work on our schools, strengthening our economy while boosting the morale and performance of our teachers and students.

"With more than 9 percent unemployment, the President's proposal to extend unemployment insurance benefits is critical. But we can do more to help these men and woman, and I welcome the President's support for my Fair Employment Opportunity Act, which would make discrimination against those who are currently unemployed and applying for work illegal.

"But it is not just employees struggling in these tough economic times—businesses need our help too. That is why I introduced the Layoff Prevention Act, which builds upon existing workshare programs, giving employers the flexibility they need to maintain their workforce and keeping Americans on the job.

"I was pleased to see these legislative initiatives included in the President's proposal, and look forward to working with him and my colleagues to turn these bills into reality and help put Americans back to work."