Bill Expected to Create Up to 3.5 Million New Jobs, Including Almost 400,000 in California

Washington, DC – Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) today joined a bipartisan majority in the House of Representatives to support legislation that will create new jobs, rebuild America’s infrastructure, make our nation more globally competitive and energy independent, and transform our economy for long-term growth.  The Conference Report for H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, passed the House of Representatives with a 246 to 183 vote.

Prominent economists estimate H.R. 1 will create and save 3.5 million jobs, while at the same time investing capitol quickly into the economy through targeted spending in infrastructure, nutrition and unemployment insurance programs.  In addition, 95% of working families will receive an immediate tax cut from the proposal.      

“3.6 million American jobs have been lost since this recession began,” said Rep. Baca.  “The problem is even greater in the Inland Empire, where we suffer from the fifth highest rate of foreclosure in the nation and have an unemployment rate above 10%.  This economic recovery bill contains the right mix of targeted government spending and tax cuts to American workers and business – that will create 3.5 million jobs and get our economy moving again.”

Of the $789 billion included in the package, $26 billion will be used by California to create new jobs in the areas of clean, efficient energy, science and technology, school improvement, and road and bridge modernization.  In addition, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provides the following critical investments:

• $120 billion for investments in infrastructure and science;
• More than $105.9 billion for education and training, to help local school districts avoid the impact of state budget cuts;
• $20 billion increase in the SNAP program (formerly the food stamp program) – to ensure struggling American families will be able to put food on the table;
• $87 billion to help states maintain their health coverage for millions of Americans through the Medicaid program.
• $27.5 billion for highway construction; and
• $8.4 billion for mass transit and rail.

“As Chairman of the Agriculture Subcommittee on nutrition, I am pleased this stimulus package includes a $20 billion increase in SNAP funding,” added Rep. Baca.  “This money will help put food on the table for an additional 30 million struggling Americans.  It will also help to revitalize our economy be creating $36 billion in new economic activity.”

“After being handed a $5 trillion budget surplus, President Bush and his policies drove our nation into a deep recession and left our economy in tatters,” concluded Rep. Baca.  “Today’s historic bill marks a new direction for America’s economy.  This legislation can create over 8,000 new jobs alone in my Congressional District and will help stop the tide of Americans losing their homes, their jobs, their health care and their savings.”