(Smith Lake Specific)
2,152 messages
Updated 5/23/2024 4:01:09 AM
Lakes Online Forum
83,644 messages
Updated 5/28/2024 9:14:08 AM
Lakes Online Forum
5,193 messages
Updated 4/3/2024 3:47:36 AM
(Smith Lake Specific)
61 messages
Updated 11/13/2022 9:38:51 PM
Lakes Online Forum
4,169 messages
Updated 4/15/2024 11:05:05 PM
Lakes Online Forum
4,261 messages
Updated 5/28/2024 6:31:10 AM
Lakes Online Forum
2,976 messages
Updated 3/20/2024 11:53:43 PM
Lakes Online Forum
98 messages
Updated 4/15/2024 1:00:58 AM
|
|
|
Thank you for contacting me with your concerns regarding the congressional response to the current economic downturn. I am pleased to hear from you on this issue.
The economic downturn, which originated in the financial sector, has spread to the broader economy; and, on those grounds, I strongly support passage of a comprehensive jobs and economic recovery and reinvestment package to help jump-start our economy. Over the last 12 months, almost every aggregate economic indicator has turned negative, including employment, capital investment, and trade. It is my belief that we in the federal government have a responsibility to extend assistance to families, businesses, and communities that have been suffering as a result of the decrease in economic activity. As you know, unemployment in Connecticut is on the rise; prices for food, energy, child care, and other basic necessities are squeezing tight family budgets; and thousands have lost their homes to foreclosure.
Although I agree with President Obama and congressional leaders that economic recovery legislation is necessary, I am disappointed with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (H.R. 1) that passed the U.S. House of Representatives. The package that was approved in the House, in my view, does not include the right timely, targeted investments that are needed to create jobs and help working families through these tough economic times. In Senate deliberations on this legislation, I am actively promoting the inclusion of funding for "shovel-ready" infrastructure projects, tax relief for lower- and middle-income households, aid to state and local governments, assistance for people with basic needs, and funding for military modernization in any economic plan considered in the Senate.
We must immediately put people to work refurbishing our roads, highways, and bridges. For too long, we have postponed spending on this crucial priority; and our infrastructure has suffered. In addition to refurbishing our existing highways and bridges, I also support funding for innovative 21st century public transportation projects that can start to take more cars off the road, ease congestion, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
In order to assist struggling, working families and stimulate badly needed consumer spending, we should provide taxpayers with tax relief immediately. The tax relief should be targeted toward lower- and middle-income households, especially households with children, which are more likely to spend the income quickly.
States, like Connecticut, are already facing serious budget shortfalls that may force cutbacks in vital services, such as health care, education, child care, and assistance programs for elderly and disabled Americans. Therefore, I advocate temporarily increasing the percentage of federal Medicaid matching funds to the states, which could help significantly to fill gaps in state budgets and ensure that our most needy citizens continue to receive the same high quality of care.
Finally, I believe that there should be funding in the recovery package to meet the military's immediate needs. Vehicles and aircraft critical to the missions that our military service personnel are carrying out around the world today are wearing out faster than initially planned, and there is additional equipment that the military needs to address the national security challenges of the future. Nationwide, our military housing is in desperate need of an upgrade; and millions of dollars in projects are "shovel ready."
Unfortunately, while we may not be able to include all of our priorities in the recovery and reinvestment package, I am pleased that the Senate approved an amendment I cosponsored with Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA), which would double the maximum size of the homebuyer credit from $7,500 to $15,000 and remove several unnecessary restrictions that have deterred homebuyers and limited the usefulness of the credit. This robust tax credit will spark demand in our struggling housing market and offer real hope for economic recovery.
It is the determination, creativity, and genius of the American people that have always been the reason for our country's remarkable successes. These are the factors that will ultimately restore our economic prosperity; but, at the same time, the government can give the American people and businesses a helping hand, including creating the right environment and incentives for the technologies and the industries of tomorrow to flourish. On the other hand, I have serious concerns about the growth this package portends for our national debt and the ad hoc nature with which some Members of Congress are seeking funding for their own pet projects. I support President Obama's position of excluding earmarks in any economic recovery package that is approved by Congress, and I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to uphold this position.
In periods of previous economic difficulty, members of both parties have worked together to make tough choices and help facilitate a strong economy. President Obama has expressed a strong willingness to work in a similar bipartisan manner. With this spirit of bipartisanship, members of both sides of the political aisle can come together and work for the American people to restore our prosperity and decrease the burden on future generations. With sound leadership and firm resolve, there is no challenge we cannot overcome.
You may be assured that I will continue to fight for effective legislation during this 111th Congress that will foster long-term economic growth that benefits all Americans.
Thank you again for sharing your views and concerns with me. I hope you will continue to visit my website at http://lieberman.senate.gov for updated news about my work on behalf of Connecticut and the nation. Please contact me if you have any additional questions or comments about our work in Congress.
Sincerely,
Joseph I. Lieberman
UNITED STATES SENATOR
|
|
Reply
Back
Search
Off-Topic Forum
- 
»
Alabama Lakes
»
Smith Lake
Login
|
Home
