Aderholt Statement In Opposition To The Stimulus Package

Contact: Darrell “DJ” Jordan
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CONGRESSMAN ADERHOLT STATEMENT IN OPPOSITION TO THE STIMULUS PACKAGE

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) today issued the following statement after his vote against Wednesday’s stimulus bill (the “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009”).

“I applaud President Obama for coming to met with us on Tuesday to talk about his proposed $819 billion stimulus package, however I can not support legislation that clearly does not meet the intended objective of stimulating the economy in order to provide relief for America’s hard working families.”

“I would have supported a stimulus package that focused on providing tax relief for American families, revitalizing the nation's transportation infrastructure and reducing economic burdens on American small businesses. Wednesday’s stimulus bill simply will not accomplish these goals in an efficient manner.

“Although the infamous “contraceptives” provision and the $200 million National Mall renovation project were dropped from this stimulus package, it still has funding for government programs and projects like $50 million for the National Endowment for the Arts, $2.1 billion for the Head Start program and $335 million for sexually transmitted disease prevention. We need immediate economic relief and I don’t understand how additional funding for programs like these will stimulate the economy in the short-term and make a positive financial impact on American families.”

“The fact-of-the-matter is that today’s $819 billion bill will ultimately cost Americans well over $1 trillion, due to debt interest. This is simply not the best solution for our economic woes and I am concerned that our children and grandchildren will be settled with this debt for many years to come.”