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October Recess
REPAIRING OUR ECONOMY: The bipartisan Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, passed by the Congress last week, was necessary to protect all Americans from the impact of our current economic crisis. Like most Americans, I resent that we have been forced in to this corner by the greed and irresponsibility of a few. This is not the bill that I would have written, but our economy is in dire straits and our time is limited. The vast majority of Americans - while angry at the circumstances - acknowledged that something had to be done. Whether prompted by the failure of major U.S. banks and financial institutions, the freezing of credit, or the largest one-day point drop ever in the Dow Jones average, most recognized that inaction simply was not an option. The world markets will continue to look to us to stabilize and restore confidence in our economy. The American public wants to know that their tax dollars are protected. They want to know that their life savings, the equity in their home, or the money they invested for their child's college tuition fund will not disappear as the stock market moves downward. They want to know that there is still a chance they can qualify for a mortgage for their dream home or secure a loan for the family car. Every day we delayed finalizing a balanced rescue plan for our economy was another day confidence spiraled downward. I firmly believed that inaction would further jeopardize America's economic stability and dry up the availability of credit for hardworking American families, as well as small and large businesses. This vote was one of the most unpleasant I have taken during my years in the Congress. But it was just the starting point. I will continue to push for the right tools that balance our responsibility to the taxpayers and the need to restore confidence in the American economy. It is our duty to ensure that we never again leave our nation so vulnerable again.
VOTING IS A RIGHT AND A RESPONSIBILITY: This week I will join with a bipartisan group of elected leaders from across our state to encourage all Marylanders who are eligible to vote to register by the October 14 deadline. There are approximately one million Marylanders who are eligible to vote, but have not yet registered for the November 4 Election. The last day to register is October 14. The 2008 Election will be historic and it's important to our nation's future that all Marylanders who are eligible to vote register by October 14 so they can participate in this year's election. There currently are 3.3 million registered voters in Maryland. That number has increased by more than 200,000 since the beginning of the year. For questions about registration or about voting, Marylanders should call the State Board of Elections at 1-800-222-8683 or visit their web site at www.elections.state.md.us.
The Senate will hold a series of pro forma sessions through November. During this time I will be traveling around Maryland as I strive to meet with as many of you as possible and to witness first-hand the great innovations, programs and special events happening in our great state.
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