WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO) submitted the following statement in the U.S. House of Representatives during debate on H.R. 1, the Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.  The legislation passed the House by a vote of 246 to 183.  The Senate is expected to consider the bill later today, and the President has indicated he will sign the measure into law if approved by Congress.  Congressman Skelton’s prepared remarks are set forth below:

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February 13, 2009

          Madam Speaker.  It is often said that legislating is the “art of compromise.”  Today, the House is considering a carefully negotiated economic recovery bill that represents a good balance of tax cuts and spending stimulus to help get our economy back on track and help get people in this country working again. 

          As a representative of small town Missouri and Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, I am particularly pleased that the legislation directs needed resources to rural parts of the country and further addresses an economic downturn that has become a national security threat to the United States.

          Over the past year, the government has taken steps to help reduce the impact of the recession on the American people.  Some of those actions have proven helpful, while others must be reviewed and improved.  But, economists from across the political spectrum have indicated that further economic stimulus is necessary to help reduce layoffs and create jobs.

          Since January, bipartisan consensus has been built around a $789 billion economic recovery bill designed to boost employment and invest in the health, education, and safety of the American people. 

         This legislation invests heavily in rural priorities, such as boosting funds for rural water programs; for rural highway and infrastructure projects, for school modernization initiatives; for Corps of Engineers projects; for agricultural-based alternative energy development; and for expanding Internet broadband technology.  It directs additional funds toward military and VA construction projects and toward streamlining the VA claims process.  And, it provides individual and small business tax relief, helps turn our country toward greener energy solutions, and strengthens the safety net for workers who have fallen on hard times.

 The economic recovery bill is not perfect.  But, sitting on the sidelines, simply watching our economy deteriorate, is simply not an option.  Inaction on our part would undercut America’s national security and would imperil jobs, savings, farms, and small businesses.  We must do what we can to prevent such a tragedy, which is why enacting this legislation is in the best interest of our country.

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Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO) serves as Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee . For further information, please contact Rebecca Loving or Whitney Frost at 202-225-2876, or check Congressman Skelton’s website at http://www.house.gov/skelton.  H.R. 1, the Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, can be found on the House Rules Committee website.