Rep. Shuler Statement on Conference Report of Stimulus Package

Statement

Rep. Shuler Statement on Conference Report of Stimulus Package

U.S. Representative Heath Shuler today released the following
statement after voting against the conference report on H.R. 1, the economic stimulus
package.

"We all agree that action must be taken to stimulate our economy. However, I continue to
disagree with the course of action laid out in this bill. Its focus should have been solely
on programs that offer an immediate economic impact -- like extending unemployment
insurance -- and investments in our nation's infrastructure, which have a rate of return of
6 to 1. While this final bill does provide some funding in those areas I am remarkably
concerned that only 3.4% of the funding in this package goes toward repairing our
country's highways and bridges. More specifically, across the country there are currently
transportation projects totaling $64 billion that could be under contract within 180 days,
yet this bill provides only $27.5 billion for those projects."

"In the end, this bill simply contained entirely too much spending in areas that will not
provide an immediate stimulative effect to our nation's economy. With our national debt
approaching $11 trillion we should not be borrowing hundreds of billions of dollars
without careful and deliberate consideration."

"Additionally, I am remarkably disappointed in House leadership for bringing a bill of
this size and magnitude up for a vote without giving members adequate time to review it
fully. We must have a greater respect for this institution and for its Members."

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