[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 28 (Wednesday, February 11, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H1164]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    ECONOMISTS AGREE WE NEED TO ACT

  (Mr. PAYNE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, millions of Americans across the country, 
including many in my home State of New Jersey, are losing their jobs, 
their homes, and their health care. The economists agree that unless 
Congress acts to stem the tide of unemployment and the disappearing 
jobs, the American economy will continue to decline.
  Chad Stone from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities said, 
``There is no time to waste.'' Mark Zandi, an economist who was an 
adviser to Senator McCain's Presidential campaign, said the economic 
downturn is likely to ``intensify further unless policymakers respond 
aggressively.'' John Ogg from the ``24/7 Wall Street'' warns the 
economy ``is going to get worse, much worse'' without this legislation. 
An economist from California State University said ``without the 
stimulus package, the downside of this economy won't be arrested.''
  Economists are united in the need for this Congress to act boldly and 
quickly. We must pass an economic stimulus recovery package immediately 
so that we can begin the long process of turning this economy around 
and ending the pain so many Americans are feeling all over our country.

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