[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 30 (Friday, February 13, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H1590]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 WHY WE VOTED FOR THE ECONOMIC STIMULUS

  (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute.)
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I think it is very important 
that we explain the actions that took place on the floor of the House 
today.
  I'd like to, first of all, indicate that I'm glad to have heard that 
tribute to a very fine individual's sacrifice for this country. And I 
want you to know that when we think about economic stimulus, we're not 
leaving out people, we're putting them in.
  I think the American people understand that when we lose 598,000 
jobs, we need to do something. And so you can imagine my friends on the 
other side of the aisle, their criticism represents this little red 
spot. But there has to be much agreement, because the criticism is very 
narrow.
  How can you criticize $4 billion for our veterans? How can you 
criticize encouraging businesses to invest through working to ensure 
businesses, increasing capital flows for business through a 5-year NOL; 
encouraging hiring of veterans and disconnected youth through the work 
opportunity tax grant. That's what's happening with the stimulus. 
Encouraging businesses to invest through a bonus depreciation and small 
business expensing, that's what's in this bill. We believe in small 
businesses and minority-owned businesses and women-owned businesses. 
And, yes, we believe that the majority of the American people are for 
this.
  We're going home to take money to our constituency. That's why we 
voted for the economic stimulus plan.

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