Click here to watch Rep. Blumenauer's Floor Speech

I listen to my friend from Indiana wondering what could possibly have economic impact investing in the arts or climate change. i don't know what's going on in Indiana but if you talk to the arts groups in Oregon or in Massachusetts or in New York or Illinois, they will tell you that investments there will produce economic activity in areas that are strained and underserved. Investment in climate change and energy research creates jobs and businesses crying out for it -- business is crying out for it large and small.

Today I voted for final passage of the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.  By reversing a Supreme Court decision that has kept women from pursuing pay discrimination claims, this bill will begin to close the pay gap for American women. It will likely be the first major piece of legislation President Barack Obama signs into law.

I was encouraged by a report from the House Appropriations and Transportation and Infrastructure Committees and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities that says Oregon is slated to receive more than $2.1 billion in federal stimulus under the American Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Thursday I voted with the rest of the House Ways and Means Committee in support of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act of 2009. As a member of the Committee, I actively participated in shaping this important legislation to provide tax relief to the American people. 

Cites New Accountability and New Administration as the Right Mix to Fix Industry’s Financial Woes with Confidence

For Immediate Release: January 22, 2009  

Media Contact: Sahar Wali                     
202-225-8413 Office/202-834-6919 Cell
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Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) voted against H.J.Res. 3, a resolution that would disapprove the use of the second $350 billion made available to the Secretary of the Treasury under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA).   Last Friday the Senate voted against a resolution of disapproval.  Passage of the joint resolution by both Houses, unless vetoed by the President, would have prevented the new Administration from using the second $350 billion in funds.  Last Congress, Rep. Blumenauer voted against the first round of the $700 billion Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA).

Rep. Blumenauer’s statement on today’s vote is below: