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Press Release

For Immediate Release
February 7, 2008
Contact: Sean C. Bonyun
(202) 225-3761

Upton Applauds Final Passage of Economic Growth Package
Measure to benefit Michigan’s hardworking families & seniors clears final hurdle, now heads to the President to be signed into law

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) applauded this evening’s overwhelming House passage of bipartisan economic stimulus legislation.  The House initially passed an economic stimulus package on January 29th, the day after the President’s State of the Union address.  The Senate approved an amended version this afternoon by a vote of 81 to 16.  With the House approving the consensus package by a vote of 380 to 34 this evening, the measure now heads to the President to be signed into law.  The economic growth plan includes rebates of $300 to $1,200 for 117 million American families and provides billions in tax relief for small businesses.  Seniors living on Social Security, disabled veterans, survivors of disabled vets and low-income wage earners will also receive much needed relief.

Upton made the following statement this evening:

“Swift, sincere bipartisan action is a very rare commodity in Congress these days.  But tonight, we put aside partisan differences on behalf of disabled vets, seniors and working families, providing a much needed boost to the American economy.  We have especially felt the tremendous burden in Michigan over the last few years, but soon with the stroke of the President’s pen, much needed relief will be on the way to Michigan’s hardworking families as well as our state’s small businesses.

“This economic growth and job creation package is an important first step, putting money directly back into the pockets of those folks who need it most.  Now we must abolish the harmful AMT and make the 2001 tax cuts permanent, allowing middle class families to keep more of their hard earned dollars.  It would devastate Michigan’s working families if the 2001 tax cuts expire, resulting in an unbearable overnight hike in the marriage penalty, death tax and overall tax rates.  We have a responsibility to do all that we can to further shore up the economy and protect families across Michigan and the country.     

“I am pleased to say, that with a little bipartisan cooperation, the checks will soon be in the mail for not only our state’s and nation’s working families and low-income folks, but also our seniors and disabled vets - those who have worked their entire lives to make this country a better place cannot be left out in the cold.”

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