WASHINGTON   –  U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) today cited a Republican House Government and Oversight Committee report indicating signs touting American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) projects could cost $192 million.

“The stimulus didn’t really work to create jobs in the private sector, while at the same time it lays $780 billion in new debt at the feet of taxpayers and future generations.  Spending $192 million on signs to compliment the Administration on the stimulus is shameful.  It’s a thumb in the eye of taxpayers who are footing the bill for this wastefulness,” Emerson said.

Emerson opposed the stimulus bill in early 2009 – noting the huge incursion of debt represented by the bill and its lack of focus on priorities for the nation’s infrastructure.

“While the stimulus has been dramatically growing the size of government, Congress has yet to act on the Federal Highway Authorization bill, extension of meaningful tax cuts to every working American and small business, and a much-needed effort to rein in federal regulations and rules from agencies such as the EPA,” Emerson said.  “Watching the federal government spend $192 million to brag on the stimulus makes me angry, not just as a member of Congress, but as a taxpayer and an American.”

Americans can record the locations of the ARRA signs at a new website: Signs of a Failed Stimulus at www.republicans.oversight.house.gov.