Straight Talk: Two Year Anniversary of Failed Stimulus Spending Spree

Statement

Friends:

Yesterday marked the second anniversary of the President's failed stimulus spending bill.

As you may recall, the President and then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi promised that this irresponsible injection of taxpayer dollars would "save or create" up to four million jobs. Instead of gaining jobs, our country has actually shed 1.8 million private sector jobs and struggled with unemployment rates at or above 9 percent since the stimulus was enacted.

If we've learned anything over the last two years, it is that the government cannot create jobs. However, it can promote policies that set the table for private sector growth. That's why the House Small Business Committee met with entrepreneurs from Florida, Washington, Tennessee and Illinois earlier this week to discuss the greatest hurdles to doing business in America.

Reenergizing our economy and rekindling our nation's spirit of entrepreneurship must be the central focus of the 112th Congress. As Chairman of this Committee, I will continue to encourage an ongoing dialogue with small business owners about what must be done in Washington, D.C. to support businesses on Main Street.

Sam Graves
Chairman

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