Senator Mikulski Statement on Senate Passage of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

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Senator Mikulski Statement on Senate Passage of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

"This is about jobs, jobs, jobs," Senator Mikulski said.

U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) issued the following statement after the Senate passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, a bill that will create millions of jobs for American workers and get the nation's economy back on track:

"We have inherited a terrible mess. But the Senate has taken a major step forward to turn the country around by passing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. By standing with President Obama, we stand up for America to create jobs for people who have lost them and to help those who have jobs, keep them. This is about jobs, jobs, jobs.

"Through the rough and tumble of the legislative process, the Senate found a sensible center. This bill balances spending on the public investments and targeted tax credits that create jobs without exacerbating the federal deficit.

"I'm so heartened that my automobile amendment is included in this bill. It makes interest payments on car loans and state sales or excise car tax deductible for new cars purchased between November 12, 2008 and December 31, 2009. It helps consumers. It helps save jobs in the automobile industry: from the salesman who sells the car, to the manufacturers who make it, to the mechanic who fixes it, and office managers who process the paperwork.

"The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act creates jobs by investing in our infrastructure. It fixes aging physical infrastructure like roads, bridges, and water systems. It makes major investments in education so that families and local school districts can help special needs children. It invests in the techno infrastructure like broadband to expand small businesses. It provides a social safety net through unemployment insurance and Medicaid that help distressed families. And it has targeted tax breaks to help families and small businesses.

"This bill is a victory for America. This bill stimulates the economy today and lays the groundwork for a stronger economy tomorrow."

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