WASHINGTON, DC - The House of Representatives today passed President Obama’s economic plan to save and create 3.5 million of jobs, jumpstart our economy and provide critical relief to American families. H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, passed by a vote of 246-183.R. 1.
Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles B. Rangel (D-NY) made the following remarks on the floor in the support of the bill.
“Today is an historic day for our nation. Congress has heeded President Obama’s call to action to rebuild our economy and rebuild American confidence. We use an expression in the Committee to inquire about vote history, we say ‘how is the gentle lady, or gentleman recorded?’ Today is one of those rare moments when history will look back on how Members record their votes on this bill.
“How will history record your vote when you had the opportunity to cut taxes for 95 percent of working families and offer the most comprehensive package of aid to the unemployed since the New Deal? How were you recorded on a bill that provided critical assistance to families to keep their kids in school, a roof over their heads and food on their tables?
“The economic challenges we face are real. Congress has responded by crafting a comprehensive package that will provide benefits to every sector of our economy, targeting tax relief to working Americans and businesses that can create new jobs. We are facing an economic crisis greater than any since the Great Depression, with a staggering 3.6 million American jobs lost in the last 13 months. Across this great nation, families are struggling to make ends meet. This is not a Democrat or Republican problem, but an American problem.
“This bill responds to the problems we face by providing resources so that businesses, large and small, can invest capital now to grow and create new jobs, particularly in the high-tech sectors such as health IT. Today we make a down payment on America’s future, with investments in infrastructure to improve our roads, schools and bridges, and help our workers compete in the global economy. We are also continuing our investment in renewable energy to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and create new 21st Century, green jobs.
“Just as patriotic as the flag, is the energy of the American people. I truly believe that history will record this as one of our bravest moments, when we met the challenge of a troubled economy and worked together to build our future."
