Washington, DC - Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) made the following comments in support of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

“Some of my Republican colleagues are so hungry for a fight they can’t recognize the difference between pork and red meat. This legislation isn’t perfect, but there is a lot of good red meat in the bill that will create jobs in America for our constituents.  By investing in our kids’ education and their schools, advancing our medical care, deploying broadband technology and rebuilding our aging bridges and roads, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will help put millions of Americans back to work.  For states such as Michigan, this desperately needed legislation will provide Medicaid funding so that families can have access to healthcare.  It will also provide job training and extend unemployment benefits for displaced workers as well as much needed funds to rebuild our roads, bridges, and schools.  Moreover, the legislation will help bring high-speed Internet to communities that previously had little or no access to it.  While this will not solve our economic crisis overnight, it will provide federal funding and jobs to Michigan at a time when we need it most.

“For example, the stimulus plan will provide nearly 162,000 Michigan citizens with unemployment compensation they would not have otherwise received, driving the total number of recipients in 2009 to over one million.  Further, it will create or save 158,000 jobs in the state by 2010, reducing unemployment by 2.5 percent.  The plan will also increase food stamp benefits by 13.6 percent, providing 1.3 million people in Michigan access to the program.  Increases to food stamp and unemployment benefits are among the surest ways to stimulate the economy, and I am pleased my colleagues have recognized their significance.

“Actions like this can potentially prevent the circumstances that made the Great Depression so long and harsh.

“I am amazed that my Republican counterparts seem more than willing to let right-wing radio shock jocks drive their political discourse, even after the President traveled to Capitol Hill to listen to and work with them in a genuine attempt to start his Administration off on a bipartisan note.  I hope that as we move forward on this plan and on future legislative endeavors, including health care reform and energy independence, we can put our partisan differences aside and work together for the American people."