Congresswoman Brown Opposes House of Representatives' Economic Stimulus Package

Statement

Congresswoman Brown Opposes House of Representatives' Economic Stimulus Package

Congresswoman Corrine Brown voted "Present" today on the House version of the economic stimulus package. Regarding her vote, the Congresswoman made the following statement:

"I commend the House Democratic leadership for their hard work in negotiating the stimulus package which passed the House floor today, yet I firmly believe that Congress can make marked improvements on today's bill during the House-Senate conference, in particular with respect to the inclusion of seniors in the final package."

There are, indisputably, a number of good items in this bill. The bill passed today provides a recovery rebate to 117 million families, including 35 million families who work but make too little to pay income taxes. The broad-based stimulus package will provide tax relief of up to $600 per individual and $1,200 per married couple, plus an additional $300 per child. The legislation also includes tax cuts for small businesses, and doubles the amount small businesses can immediately write off their taxes for capital investments, while encouraging investments in new equipment, all of which will certainly be a strong boost for our lackluster economy.

However, when the stimulus package arrives in a House-Senate conference, I will be advocating for a more inclusive package, one that would provide a greater boost to our economy and assist even more people. To begin, I believe the stimulus package which eventually reaches the President's desk needs to include an extension of unemployment benefits, and, like the current Senate Finance Committee plan, send rebate checks to the approximately 20 million Americans over age 62 that rely exclusively on Social Security. Indeed, senior citizens are important members of our society who have worked hard throughout their lives, and in my estimation, deserve the same rebate as those earning wages. A tax rebate for seniors is of utmost importance, since they will put this kind of cash infusion to good use. Certainly, anyone with elderly family members can attest to this, and that assistance with prescription drugs, healthcare payments, food, rent, and other expenses are outright necessities for our senior population.

As the subcommittee Chairwoman of the Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials subcommittee of the Committee on Transportation, I categorically believe that any stimulus plan is incomplete without an infrastructure component. And the plan that was put forward by the Transportation Committee would provide $15 billion in infrastructure investment to enhance the safety, security and efficiency of our highway, transit, rail and environmental infrastructure. This would not only put people to work immediately, it would also simultaneously strengthen our nation's infrastructure.

Transportation funding is mutually beneficial to all involved. Our states benefit by receiving an improved transportation infrastructure, which also creates economic development and puts people to work. In fact, Department of Transportation (DOT) statistics show that for every $1 billion invested in transportation infrastructure, 42,000 jobs are created, as is $2.1 billion in economic activity."

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