WASHINGTON, DC - Rep. Peter Welch released the following statement regarding the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan - details of which were released by House leadership Thursday:

"This plan will stimulate the economy, create new jobs and invest in our future. My top priorities have been to take the pressure off Vermont taxpayers and create new Vermont jobs by building a green economy. This plan invests in renewable energy and provides immediate tax relief for the Vermont taxpayer by waiving the state transportation match, reimbursing Vermont for Medicaid expenses and funding special education."

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan includes $275 billion in middle class tax cuts and $550 billion in targeted investment:

• Clean, efficient, American energy
• $32 billion to transform the nation's energy transmission, distribution and production systems
• $16 billion to repair public housing and improve energy efficiency
• $6 billion to weatherize modest-income homes

• Education and science investment
• $41 billion to local school districts through Title I, IDEA and school modernization
• $79 billion in state fiscal relief to prevent cutback of key services
• $15.6 billion to increase Pell grants by $500
• $10 billion for science facilities and research
• $6 billion to expand broadband internet access in rural and underserved areas

• Modernize roads, bridges and transit
• $30 billion for highway construction
• $31 billion to modernize infrastructure to achieve energy cost savings
• $19 billion for clean water, flood control and environmental restoration investments
• $10 billion for transit and rail to reduce traffic congestion and gas consumption

• Lower health care costs
• $20 billion for health information technology
• $4.1 billion for preventative care

• Help workers hurt by the economy
• $43 billion for increased unemployment benefits and job training
• $39 billion to expand COBRA
• $20 billion to increase food stamp benefit by 13%