[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 27 (Tuesday, February 19, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E211-E212]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 THE RECOVERY REBATES AND ECONOMIC STIMULUS FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. PHIL HARE

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 19, 2008

  Mr. HARE. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5140, the 
Recovery Rebates and Economic Stimulus for the American People Act.
  For 7 years the Bush administration has pursued economic policies 
that have been focused on making the wealthy in this Nation even 
wealthier, while ignoring the middle class--the backbone of our Nation.
  Only now as the economy is dangerously close to recession, Congress 
is attempting to take the burden off the backs of those who need the 
most relief--hard-working American families.

[[Page E212]]

  The tax rebates passed in H.R. 5140 will put money back into the 
pockets of American families, and in turn, back into the American 
economy.
  I am extremely supportive of the Senate amendment, which extended the 
rebates to 20 million seniors and 250,000 disabled veterans. During 
this time of economic uncertainty, no one should be left out of this 
stimulus package.
  While today's stimulus package is a good first step to revitalizing 
our economic well-being, checks in the mail alone are not going to get 
the job done. Recently, after Maytag and Carhartt, among others, moved 
their operations from Illinois, yet another plant in my district 
announced it was closing its doors, costing us another 700 jobs.
  My constituents need more than just a check. They need fair trade 
policies that do not provide incentives for companies to outsource jobs 
to other countries. My constituents need an overhaul of the Trade 
Adjustment Assistance program and increased funding in order to 
establish the safety net they deserve. My constituents need 
unemployment benefits to help them survive long periods of joblessness 
exacerbated by an unstable economy. I am extremely disappointed that we 
missed another opportunity to extend unemployment benefits to millions 
of Americans who are left out of this stimulus package.
  Today's legislation is a good step toward addressing the hardships 
felt by many Americans, and I am proud to support it. I strongly urge 
the President to quickly sign this measure into law.

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