[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 156 (Sunday, September 28, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2117]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            JOB CREATION AND UNEMPLOYMENT RELIEF ACT OF 2008

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 26, 2008

  Ms. McCOLLUM of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of 
the Job Creation and Unemployment Relief Act and congratulate Speaker 
Pelosi and Chairman Obey for providing important relief to American 
families struggling under current economic conditions.
  At a time when taxpayers are being asked to rescue Wall Street, it is 
imperative that Congress also recognize the challenges facing Main 
Street. Our economy has lost jobs for eight straight months with 
605,000 American jobs lost this year. This summer Minnesota's 
unemployment rate reached its highest level in 22 years. Putting 
Americans back to work is critical to the recovery of our economy and 
to the health and safety of families.
  H.R. 7110 invests in families by creating good-paying jobs through 
new infrastructure projects. These investments have an immediate effect 
on the economy by putting people to work and will have a long term 
effect with improvements to our roads, bridges and schools.
  Other jobs will be created through new energy technologies. New loans 
to the auto industry and investment in new renewable energy 
technologies will both put people in good paying, stable jobs but will 
also move this country towards energy independence.
  For those hit hardest by economic conditions, this legislation 
provides an extension of unemployment benefits for those still 
searching for a job, including 20,000 Minnesotans. It also includes 
additional food assistance to help deal with rising food prices and a 
temporary increase in Medicaid payments for states so they can continue 
to provide health care coverage for children and families. To address 
the cost of fuel and growing demand for public transportation, this 
bill invests in transit to improve access and afford ability of buses 
and trains.
  It is absolutely unacceptable for members to find the political will 
to bail out Wall Street at a cost of $700 billion to taxpayers and at 
the same time claim that we do not have the resources to invest one-
tenth of that in American families. This is a prudent, targeted package 
and it is critical to our economic recovery. I urge my colleagues to 
join me in supporting H.R. 7110.

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