Blunt Votes Against Trillion Dollar Spending Package
2.13.2009

Washington, D.C. – Missouri Congressman Roy Blunt today issued the following statement after voting against the largest individual spending bill in the history of the United States, a bill economists warn could do more long-term harm than short-term gain to our economy: 

 

“I know that our economy is struggling and Congress needs to act, but I also know we must act responsibly and carefully to ensure we don’t further exacerbate the problem.  I agree with comments by President Obama and Speaker Pelosi that any stimulus package must be timely, targeted and temporary.  But the so-called stimulus package the House passed today fails each of those tests. 

 

“Some of the funds in this bill won’t see the light of day until after 2019.  I hope this recession is over by then but, because of this package, I’m afraid we could prolong our economic woes by forcing Americans who need loans to purchase homes or send their children to college to compete with the federal government.

 

“Unfortunately, this package became a target for projects and special interest spending.  Some of the projects might be important, but this is neither the time nor place for a decades-old wish list.  I support improving schools, building better roads and constructing safer bridges.  But, I’m not in favor of Congress doing what we can’t afford or using an emergency to accomplish political goals.“

 

NOTE:  Reports by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office today confirmed that this bill might provide a short-term boost to our economy but the added debt burden and crowding out of private investment will actually become a net drag on economic growth and wages by 2014. 

 

Click here to listen to Congressman Blunt’s comments about the passage of this package. 

 

           

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