Sutton Comments on Passage of Economic Stimulus Package

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Betty Sutton voted in support of the amended economic stimulus bill, the Recovery Rebates and Economic Stimulus for the American People Act, H.R. 5140, which passed in the House by a vote of 380-34.The bill will now be sent to the President for his signature.

"I am pleased that we are able to send the President a bipartisan agreement on an economic stimulus package that will help many families in Ohio's 13th Congressional District. This tax relief for working families is vital for them to help make ends meet during these difficult times," said Sutton. "I also strongly support the incentives to help our businesses grow and make new investments in our communities."

"However, the initial House passed package failed to include low-income seniors and disabled veterans. Because these groups should not have been excluded from the original package, I submitted a letter to Senators Reid and McConnell, urging them to provide cash benefits for those citizens whose only source of income is Social Security.

"This time, we have passed an economic stimulus package that will aid more Americans faced with economic difficulties. Under this package, tax rebate checks will be extended to 20 million seniors on Social Security and to 250,000 disabled veterans and their widows."

"While the passage of the economic stimulus package will help to improve economic conditions, the package is a short term fix. It is my sincere hope that, in the coming months, Congress will address the larger economic challenges facing our nation, including reforming our trade policies and investing in rebuilding our infrastructure."