[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 22 (Wednesday, February 4, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E214]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT OF 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. JAMES R. LANGEVIN

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 28, 2009

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 1) making 
     supplemental appropriations for job preservation and 
     creation, infrastructure investment, energy efficiency and 
     science, assistance to the unemployed, and State and local 
     fiscal stabilization, for fiscal year ending September 30, 
     2009, and for other purposes:

  Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of H.R. 1, the American 
Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which will save and create millions of 
jobs across our country, jumpstart our economy and transform it to meet 
the needs of the 21st century by making our nation more globally 
competitive and energy independent.
  We are facing dire economic times. Every week, we are faced with new 
reports on job losses across our country. In my home state of Rhode 
Island, we have the country's second highest unemployment rate at ten 
percent and last December, we were ranked sixth nationally in 
foreclosure rates. These harsh realities have made it increasingly 
clear that our economy will face an even sharper downturn if we do not 
act soon. With that in mind, I support taking action to rebuild our 
nation's economy.
  H.R. 1 will appropriate $544 billion for transportation and 
infrastructure upgrades and construction, health care programs, 
education assistance, housing assistance and energy efficiency 
upgrades, and includes $275 billion in personal and business tax breaks 
for a total of $819 billion to be expended over Fiscal Years 2009 and 
2010. This measure helps those hit hardest by the economic downturn by 
extending unemployment benefits, providing job training to get people 
back to work quickly, increasing food stamp benefits, and extending 
health benefits for those who lose their job.
  This measure provides $90 billion to modernize our crumbling roads 
and bridges, increase transit and rail funding to reduce traffic 
congestion and gas consumption, and invest in clean water and other 
environmental restoration projects. It is estimated that Rhode Island 
will receive $154 million for highways and bridges and $39 million for 
the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, which will significantly raise 
and almost double our state's budget for these programs. These projects 
will immediately create jobs in my state, as projects will only receive 
funding if they are ``ready to go'' within 90 days of the enactment of 
this bill.
  This measure also includes education initiatives that will build 21st 
century classrooms, labs and libraries through a new program that will 
modernize, renovate and repair school buildings. It is estimated that 
Rhode Island will receive $48 million for Title I programs, which serve 
disadvantaged children, and $48 million for IDEA Funds. H.R. 1 also 
provides $15.6 billion for Pell grants, and it is estimated that Rhode 
Island will receive $97.5 million in aid for 28,217 recipients for an 
average award for the academic year 2009-10 of $3,456. Investing in our 
children's education not only has long-term benefits to our economy, 
but it also delivers on our nation's promise to ensure that all 
individuals have an equal opportunity to succeed.
  I have strongly advocated for a comprehensive energy plan to lower 
costs, create jobs and improve our environment. H.R. 1 will not only 
double renewable energy production, but I am especially pleased that 
funding is included to build the infrastructure to transmit renewable 
energy to homes throughout our nation. The bill also promotes a Smart 
Grid Investment Program to modernize our electricity grid to meet the 
needs of our growing and evolving energy system. While Congress 
supports an efficient and modern system of power generation, the bill 
also provides necessary credits to individuals to make their homes more 
energy efficient through weatherization programs and with credits to 
purchase energy efficient appliances.
  This measure includes individual tax relief, including the ``Making 
work pay'' tax credit, which will provide up to $500 for an individual 
or $1,000 for married couples filing jointly. Parents will also benefit 
from an increase in the earned income tax credit for families with 
three or more children and the bill allows for additional low-income 
families to receive the child tax credit. It will also provide a tax 
credit up to $7500 for first time home buyers if they purchase a home 
between April 8th, 2008 and July 1st, 2009, injecting a much needed 
incentive into the housing market.
  I also supported H.R. 1 because it includes unprecedented 
accountability and strong oversight by creating the Recovery Act 
Accountability and Transparency Board, which will coordinate and 
conduct oversight of federal spending under the bill. A website with 
the board's reports will be placed on a website, which will also show 
how funds are spent and list announcements of contract and grant 
competitions and awards.
  Mr. Chair, it is important to understand that this funding is not a 
silver bullet, but that our economy will continue to decline without 
this immediate action. The Recovery package will begin to slow our 
downward economic trend and allow us to regain our footing as we begin 
to make much-needed long term investments to transform our economy for 
the 21st century. American prosperity depends on individual economic 
security. It is only when Americans do not have to worry about losing 
their job, keeping their home or paying their bills that our economy 
will truly flourish. I am committed to improving the economic outlook 
for the millions who are struggling, and I will continue working with 
my colleagues in Congress on this vital and urgent goal.

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