[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 3 (Wednesday, January 13, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H47]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HEALTH CARE REFORM AND JOBS

  (Mr. ELLISON asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. ELLISON. Madam Speaker, Democrats in Congress have devoted job 
creation as the number one top priority that we are focusing on in this 
period.
  The fact is that the Republican recession has created some of the 
worst economic conditions since the Great Depression. But it is 
important to note that the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has 
actually helped our economy begin to recover, and it is important to 
make sure that Americans know this.
  It is important for Americans to know that the Recovery Act has 
created more than 640,000 jobs since it was enacted almost a year ago, 
and could produce as many as 1.6 million jobs.
  More is needed, but the Recovery Act has reduced job losses, reduced 
unemployment rates and the increase in the unemployment rate, and 
increased the gross domestic product.
  So, Madam Speaker, the Democratic caucus will continue to focus on 
job creation and will continue to work well, and we hope to do this in 
a bipartisan way. But even if we can't, we will continue to make jobs 
first on the agenda.

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