Economy Requires Urgent Action on Recovery Package

February 5, 2009 - Democratic Senators Dick Durbin, Frank Lautenberg and Jeff Merkley joined Liz Freeberg, an unemployed worker from Minnesota; Dennis Van Roekel, President of the National Education Association; and Dave Johnson, a construction worker from New Jersey, at a press conference this morning to discuss the urgent need to pass an economic recovery package. Rising unemployment rates, a shrinking GDP and other deteriorating economic indicators underscore the urgency with which we need to strengthen our economy now and invest in our nation over the long term.

“The bill that we hope to pass this week will help create jobs in every state in the union, including approximately 200,000 jobs in my home state of Illinois,” Durbin said. “The types of jobs that we would create through this bill are nearly impossible to outsource and will help lay the foundation for the American economy of the 21st century. Now is the time to act. We haven’t a moment to lose.” Said Lautenberg: “The economic recession is deepening, and it’s time for action. We need to put partisan differences aside to help families in New Jersey and across the nation. It is time to pass this recovery package and get our economy back on track.” Said Merkley: “Families across our nation are hurting right now. “They lack health care, they worry about their jobs, they are in danger of losing their homes. For too long, the policies coming out of Washington were failing these families. The Senate bill is an embodiment of President Obama’s promise to reject the failed formulas that brought us to this point and invest in the future. We cannot wait to provide the help working Americans so desperately need.” Senate Democrats are working to pass this critical legislation to create jobs, cut taxes for middle-class families and invest in America’s future. To read more on how Democrats will be working to revive our economy, homeowners and consumers, make America more energy independent, strengthen our national security, and improve health care and educational opportunities for all Americans go here.

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