Rep. Baca Backs Second Bipartisan Economic Stimulus Package

Press Release

Rep. Baca Backs Second Bipartisan Economic Stimulus Package

Legislation Will Offer Increased Food Stamp Benefits to Over 2 Million Californians

Today, Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) joined a bipartisan majority in the House of Representatives in support of a second stimulus package to bolster the nation's economy. H.R. 7110, the Job Creation and Unemployment Relief Act, passed by a 264- 158 vote, and will help to get our economy back on the road to recovery by investing in America's infrastructure, children, and workers, and coming to the aid of struggling families.

"Too many families in the Inland area are struggling just to make ends meet, and the current economic crisis is only making things worse," said Rep. Baca. "Today's stimulus package gets the economy moving in the right direction again by investing federal dollars to help working class families struggling to get by, and by creating thousands of new jobs while reinvesting in America's infrastructure."

More than 600,000 American workers have lost their jobs so far this year. The number of unemployed Americans is now at its highest level since 1992. The economic stimulus package passed by the House today will yield immediate results for all Americans by:

* Getting more Americans back to work by investing in infrastructure projects that can quickly generate good-paying jobs - including over $12 billion to rebuild our nation's aging highways and bridges, and $3 billion to repair crumbling schools across the nation;

* Providing much-needed support for millions of Americans who are out of work by extending unemployment benefits an additional 7 weeks for workers who have exhausted regular unemployment compensation, and an additional 13 weeks for workers in high unemployment states;

* Investing $500 million in job training programs to help unemployed workers find and prepare for good jobs in the fast changing economy;

* Temporarily increasing the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage for Medicaid health costs, to prevent cuts to health insurance and care services for low-income children and families; and

* Providing an additional $2.6 billion to address rising food costs for seniors, people with disabilities and very poor families with children;

All told H.R. 7110 will provide additional food stamp benefits to 2,271,000 Californians. In addition the legislation will extend unemployment benefits for over 200,000 Californians. Extending unemployment insurance and increasing food stamp benefits are proven to be two of the quickest, most cost-effective forms of economic stimulus because unemployed workers and struggling families spend benefits quickly.

"In this time of increased economic uncertainty, it is imperative Congress comes to the aid of struggling American families," concluded Rep. Baca. "I am proud to support this critical legislation which promotes spending and economic growth, assists families, and creates new jobs in our Inland communities."

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