[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 56 (Thursday, April 2, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S4349]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Ms. SNOWE (for herself and Mr. Casey):
  S. 800. A bill to require the President to update and modify the 
website recovery.gov; to the Committee on Homeland Security and 
Governmental Affairs.
  Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, I rise to introduce legislation to enhance 
the availability of information to the public concerning the programs 
funded pursuant to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 
enacted in February. I am pleased to be joined by Senator Casey in 
introducing this bill.
  In a recent meeting that I had with constituents from the Maine 
Municipal Association, several questions arose regarding application 
deadlines and when funding will be distributed under the act. 
Additionally, because there is no centralized location listing the 
opportunities available, some Mayors and First Selectmen had little 
idea of all the programs for which they may be eligible. Indeed, the 
officials spoke of finding out about various programs either through 
meetings or colleagues, and they noted that a regularly updated online 
database of catalogued programs would be extremely useful.
  This modest bill would require that the administration's recovery.gov 
website be expanded so that States and localities can easily ascertain 
stimulus funds for which they may be eligible. Cities and towns could 
benefit greatly if they could use Recovery.gov to quickly learn about 
funding for which they may be eligible, application deadlines, and who 
to contact for more information. An enhanced website or 
``clearinghouse'' would facilitate the timely distribution of economic 
stimulus funds and ensure that they will be used as quickly and 
efficiently as possible to help restore economic growth throughout the 
country.
  I urge prompt consideration of this bill.
                                 ______