[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 14 (Friday, February 6, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S677]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     CREATION OF JOBS WITH S. 1072

  Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I thank my colleague, Senator Daschle. I 
say to Senator Frist, blood pressures rise from time to time actually 
on the floor of the Senate, depending on what we are doing. Mine 
relates to the issue of when we treat serious things too lightly or 
light things too seriously.
  Speaking of that, most of us agree that a serious matter that ought 
to be treated seriously is the highway bill. This week was a 
disappointment because we had the difficulty of getting into our office 
buildings and the ricin issue here on Capitol Hill.
  I know both the Republican leader and the Democratic leader share 
this view. This highway bill is critically important.
  I recall a political campaign in an election that was waged a couple 
of campaigns ago where they had a sign on the wall that said, ``It is 
the economy, stupid.'' That was their sign, just to remind them every 
day to focus like a laser on the economy.
  With respect to this country's economy and jobs, at a time when more 
than 2\1/2\ million people lost their jobs in recent years and 8 to 10 
million people are now looking for a job this morning, there isn't 
anything that we can do that is, in my judgment, more urgent than 
passing this highway bill. Why? Because this is a job generator. 
Instantly, people go back to work.
  It means that contractors are out there with new contracts. They are 
hiring people. Everyone in this Chamber knows that the one formula for 
producing jobs now, immediately, is to pass this highway bill.
  It has been a disappointment to me this week that we have had some--
it was described in the National Journal or Congressional Quarterly as 
a small group of Republicans--who have decided to hold this bill up and 
stop it. That would not be in this country's interest.
  We must get this done. I appreciate the strength of the majority 
leader and the strength of the Democratic leader, as well, to stay with 
it. I would say to Senator Frist that I believe there is a broad, 
bipartisan consensus in this Chamber to produce a highway bill that 
helps us invest in the improvements necessary in roads and bridges 
across the country. Over 30 percent of them are in disrepair. But more 
important than that, in my judgment, is the ability to be a job 
generator, to expand this economy and put people back to work is job 
one.
  There is not much more of importance we can do this year. I don't 
know of a more important bill this year that will be related to 
American jobs than this bill. So it is my hope that, even though there 
is some obstruction going on by a few in the Chamber on the other side, 
we stay here, stick with it, work late if necessary, and get this bill 
done. It is that important for this country. Frankly, I think there is 
a broad, bipartisan consensus on that point. When we have that, let's 
stick with it and do it, even if there are some in this Chamber who 
have decided they want to hold it up.
  I thank my colleague from South Dakota, Senator Daschle, for giving 
me the time. I am about to go chair a hearing. It also relates to jobs. 
This jobs issue is so critically important. People got out of bed this 
morning in this country asking themselves: Where can I find a job? 
There are millions and millions of them. It is a big deal, a big issue. 
It is a serious matter for this country.
  The bill we are considering now has the opportunity to allow us to 
address this in a very significant way, and we cannot and should not 
miss this opportunity.
  I yield the floor.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Democratic leader.

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