[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 16]
[House]
[Page 23148]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



            ENACTING COMMONSENSE ECONOMIC STIMULUS POLICIES

  (Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SAM JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, yesterday's front page of the 
Wall Street Journal reads like this: ``The U.S. fell into a recession 
in March for the first time in a decade.''
  By historical standards, the current contraction is unusual. Despite 
some optimism that the recession has run its course, turmoil in the 
commodity markets could indicate that a recovery will not arrive until 
summer at best, at best.
  If the American economy has been in a recession since March, it is 
obvious the American people need help now. We cannot wait until next 
summer for a turnaround.
  History has shown that providing tax relief is a better way to jump-
start the economy than increasing spending. By enacting some 
commonsense stimulus policies, we can get our economy back on track.
  Our House-passed tax relief bill does just that. More tax relief 
would be great news for American families, American companies, and the 
American economy. Our friends at the other end of the Capitol need to 
quit stalling, get in gear and pass tax relief now. America will say 
thank you.

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