[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 28 (Wednesday, February 11, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H1205]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            STIMULUS PACKAGE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I just got off a call with 
Carolyn Greco, a constituent of mine from Lumber City Borough in 
Clearfield County, Pennsylvania. Now, this young lady, who is now 
retired, has voted in every primary and general election since her 21st 
birthday; yet, she has never called an elected official before to voice 
her concern regarding legislation until this now so-called stimulus 
package.
  When asked why, her response was somewhat heartening: ``I had faith 
in the system,'' a notion that she is now questioning for the first 
time in her life based on this legislation alone. Let me repeat that. 
She had faith in the system, a notion she is now questioning for the 
first time in her life based on the stimulus package alone.
  Mr. Speaker, the more the American people have an opportunity to 
evaluate and dissect this massive spending measure, the more frustrated 
they grow. Does Congress need to act? Absolutely.
  House Republicans stand ready to work with our counterparts across 
the aisle, if given the opportunity to sit at the table, to craft a 
package that creates and preserves jobs, invests in our roads and 
bridges, and offers tax relief to middle-class Americans and small 
business owners. I don't think you can find one person in this Chamber 
who believes that we should wait this out.

                              {time}  1530

  But this backroom deal is not what the American people want nor 
deserve. Yesterday the Secretary of the Treasury spoke about 
accountability and transparency. It is time for the House and Senate 
Democratic leadership to heed the Secretary's advice and instill that 
same transparency and accountability into the legislative process.
  Mr. Speaker, for the past three decades, I have been working, prior 
to coming to Congress, as a health care professional. And the first 
rule you learn as a health care professional is ``do no harm.'' And as 
I look at this stimulus package, I find few good provisions that will 
fulfill the intent of an economic stimulus within the period of time 
dictated. Other provisions I find ineffective at best. And overall, I 
find this bill is harmful, harmful in the sense it will lead to a 
deeper and a worse recession through deficit spending which will lead 
to increased inflation, and it will provide a legacy for this Congress 
of a bloated national debt well beyond where we are today. It enhances 
and increases our foreign financial dependence. And it provides for 
non-stimulus, wasteful spending that will only detract from the true 
strategic priorities and the real needs that our country faces.
  Mr. Speaker, there are 435 able-minded Members of this body. And 
while we all come from different corners of the country with differing 
opinions, and I do believe that is what makes us stronger, and unique 
backgrounds, this is the people's House where debate should be 
encouraged and thoughtful deliberation should be the standard. This 
backroom style of politics is not the change President Obama promised. 
And it is not the change the American people voted for in November.

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