Kennedy's Statement on Economic Stimulus Package

Press Release

While Wall Street teeters on the edge of collapse, American working families have been in free-fall for months. As a nation, our economy is in trouble.

For the people of Rhode Island, who currently face 8.5% unemployment, this crisis demands immediate action. Over the past year, unemployment has risen by three and a half percent.

Madam Speaker, the economic recovery package before us today will help stem the slide of our economy into a deep recession while simultaneously making important investments in our future. My constituents in Rhode Island cannot afford another day without this critical legislation.

This bill will help get more Americans back to work right away by investing in our crumbling bridges and highways.

This bill will help local transit agencies, like those in my state, which currently face cost overruns and drastic reductions in service because of aging fleets and escalating gas prices.

This bill will make essential investments in our schools by providing funding to repair dilapidated buildings and make energy-saving renovations up front, so that less of our future education budget literally goes up in smoke.

Madam Speaker, this legislation makes a number of other important investments, but I would also call attention to the help it offers to the most vulnerable amongst us. For Rhode Islanders and those across this country who are out of work, our bill extends unemployment benefits to keep families in their houses and to keep food on their tables.

Certainly, these are trying economic times for our country which require fundamental change. This legislation represents an important step toward policies which couple sound investment with true compassion.

For all American families struggling in these trying times, I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation.

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