[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 32 (Tuesday, February 24, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E311]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT OF 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. MARSHA BLACKBURN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 13, 2009

  Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, yesterday Republicans were shut out of 
the Stimulus Conference, and this important legislation was decided in 
the same shady backroom your constituents voted to close in the last 
election. Americans are in a serious recession, and we need to act 
quickly to come to a bipartisan agreement. We don't need to rush this 
critical legislation through so that Members can jet out of town for 
their vacations.
  We know that immediate and permanent tax breaks stimulate the 
economy. We know that spending does not. Yet, this backroom deal comes 
with a $789.5 billion price tag and 9 billion in new spending; tax cuts 
were sacrificed for new spending! This is no stimulus bill--this is a 
spending bill. It's time to cancel our vacations, roll up our sleeves 
and work to bring the real relief that Americans need. I am willing to 
stay and do real work. I challenge my colleagues to do the same.

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