Mack Statement On House Passage Of Stimulus Conference Report

Press Release

Congressman Connie Mack (FL-14) issued the following statement today after the House of Representatives passed the conference report for the massive $789 billion economic "stimulus" bill. The legislation (H.R. 1) passed by a vote of 246 to 183 this afternoon and now awaits action in the Senate.

Mack said:

"We all want to solve the challenges facing our country as quickly and painlessly as possible. We want to see people go back to work. We want them to be able to afford their homes. And we want to create an environment that enables the private sector to create real jobs at good wages.

"Unfortunately, the so-called "stimulus" plan that passed the House today is little more than a massive spending plan filled with earmarks and liberal social planning-programs. Only a limited percentage of this spending will create fewer jobs over the next year as compared to other options. Tax cuts, coupled with true pro-growth policies, are more likely to have succeeded and more likely to have sparked economic growth.

"We also understand that, while we need to reign in the size, scope and cost of Washington, there may be an appropriate place, in conjunction with more expansive pro-growth policies, for some "shovel-ready" infrastructure projects to help create the environment that will jump-start the private sector.

"This plan, which had bipartisan opposition, will only guarantee that our children and grandchildren inherit a legacy of more spending, more government, more debt, and more regulations instead of providing our economy with common-sense ways to provide the real boost we need.

"As I have said before, no nation has ever spent its way to prosperity. The massive spending plan that passed today will be another lasting testament to that simple truth."

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