|
|
|
|
|
|
Dear Friends:
Families across Maryland are hurting and that is why I am extremely pleased that Congress and the White House worked together in a bipartisan way to pass a stimulus package. It is a measure that is targeted, temporary and timely and it will help middle and low-income Americans who are struggling with high energy costs, a declining housing market and rising health care costs.
I regret that the Senate failed by just one vote to approve a stimulus package providing additional relief for long-term unemployed Americans, those facing foreclosure and Americans with high heating bills. The Senate action added on to the House measure by approving rebate checks for 20 million seniors and 250,000 disabled veterans.
I am pleased that the stimulus package also included an increase in the federal guarantee for mortgage loans through Dec. 31, 2008, making them more accessible and affordable -- an important factor in states like Maryland with high housing costs.
After seven years of often divisive conflict between the White House and Congress, the American people came out the winners in passage of the stimulus package. We have serious problems facing our nation, and I urge the President and Congress to follow the example of the bipartisan stimulus package in tackling other deep-seated issues affecting our economy. We cannot wait to act while millions of Americans face foreclosure, rising heating and gas prices and soaring health care costs.
|
|
|
