DELAURO RESPONSE TO PRESIDENT OBAMA’S ADDRESS

Washington, D.C.— Congresswoman Rosa L.DeLauro (CT-3), Ranking Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee onLabor, Health and Human Services, Education, issued the followingstatement in response to President Obama's joint address to Congresstonight.

"I am pleased to hear President Obama'sproposals for creating jobs for Americans, as I believe that this should be our top priority. Many of the ideas and initiatives the Presidentspoke about tonight will help to create good, well-paying jobs, initiate and sustain economic growth, support middle class American families inthese tough times. Critically, creating jobs and growing the economy are the only way to reduce our national deficit.

"I welcome the President's support for aNational Infrastructure Bank, a concept I first proposed in 1994, whichwould leverage private dollars to invest in transportation, water,energy and telecommunications projects with clear economic, social, andenvironmental benefits. Such a bank would enable us to make the critical investments in modern infrastructure systems needed to creategood-paying American jobs and compete in the global economy over thelong-term.

"I am also pleased that the President ispursuing policies that will put people back to work now, namelyimproving our nation's crumbling schools, as my soon-to-be introducedFix America's Schools Today (FAST) Act will do. This bill willimmediately put Americans back to work while providing states and school districts with the funds they need to repair our nation's schools,strengthening our economy and boosting teacher and student morale andperformance.

"Additionally, the President's call toextend unemployment insurance benefits for the millions of men and women who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own is a welcomereprieve. These Americans want to work; they want to find jobs, and wemust give them the support they need to be successful. I am also verypleased that the concept for my Fair Employment Opportunity Act, whichprevents discrimination against those who are currently unemployed andapplying for work, a practice that is becoming common in many workplaces around the country, was included in the President's proposal.

"I look forward to working with thePresident and my colleagues to make smart, targeted investments, thatwill help put America back to work while rebuilding our country,supporting American families, and fueling business innovation."