DeLauro Sends American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan to President

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn. -3) joined a majority in the House of Representatives in support of critical legislation to create and save 3.5 million American jobs that will be signed into law next week. President Obama's job creation package passed by Congress will rebuild America, making us more globally competitive and energy independent, and transforming our economy for long-term growth; give 95 percent of American workers an immediate tax cut; and invest quickly in the economy.

"This is a transformational moment. Today, Congress will send to President Obama a bold and aggressive plan to create American jobs and move to long-term growth," said DeLauro. "We cannot afford to wait any longer. With every new day we get another reminder of why this recovery package is so critical and urgent. 3.6 million American jobs have been lost since this recession began. Last month alone, the economy lost almost 600,000 jobs. States facing major mid-year budget shortfalls have begun to furlough employees"

"Working with President Obama we will put resources in the hands of people most likely to spend them quickly – to both jumpstart our economy and provide relief to those most in need. That means tax cuts for the middle class. Investing more than $100 billion in infrastructure like roads, bridges, mass transit, energy efficient buildings, flood control, and clean water projects.

"Anyone looking for immediate and significant impact need look no further than food stamps which generate $1.73 in new economic activity for every dollar invested. This package provides $20 billion to increase the food stamp benefit, which could reach 14 million households less than a month after it is enacted.

"We also have to step up and help states and localities to prevent devastating cuts to the critical services our communities rely on everyday, from first-responders and schools to and emergency rooms. We have a responsibility to do everything we can to keep further cuts and higher fees from hitting middle class families at a time when they can least afford it."

This jobs and economic recovery plan contains strategic efforts:

· Creating or saving 41,000 jobs here in Connecticut over the next two years;

· Providing a Making Work Pay tax cut of up to $800 for 1.35 million employees and their families, designed to start paying out immediately into their paychecks, as well as tax cuts to spur businesses large and small;

· Transforming Our Economy With Clean, Efficient, American Energy and Innovation and Technology that will create more than 1 million jobs;

· Lowering Health Care Costs and improving care by computerizing medical records, which will create hundreds of thousands of jobs, and helping those who cannot afford health care in these tough times;

· Modernizing Roads and Bridges to create jobs with an extra $302 million here in Connecticut along with other critical infrastructure like high-speed rail, the boldest investment since the creation of the interstate highway system a half century ago;

· Education for the 21st Century, modernizing schools and making college more affordable with improved Pell Grants for nearly 52,000 Pell Grant recipient here in Connecticut and a higher education tax credit for 30,000 students in our state;

· Helping Employees Hurt by the Economy, including 134,200 of Connecticut residents that are out of work, those who have lost their health care, and seniors; and

· Saving the Jobs of teachers, police officers, health care workers, and protecting the vital services they provide.

"Turning around the economy will not happen overnight, but with this recovery package, we will pull our economy out of the recession and on the path to long-term growth," added DeLauro. "With this jobs and recovery plan we will save and create 41,000 jobs her in Connecticut by the end of 2010. In the face of challenges, this Americans have always come together, and once again we will do so today with the strong leadership of President Obama."