Washington, DC— Representative Watson issued the following statement in response to the President's Economic Stimulus Plan:

"Today President Bush announced that he will back tax relief legislation worth about $145 billion.  It is my initial understanding that the relief package will target about $100 billion toward individuals and $50 billion towards businesses. 

"I strongly support an economic stimulus package for workers, but I do not see the need for the President to target additional tax breaks to businesses, some of which, particularly oil and gas, have reported record profits in the last year. 

"Millions of American workers are suffering from unemployment, underemployment, and stagnant wages. It is my hope that the President’s proposal will be include both temporary tax cuts as well as spending stimuli that are targeted to middle class families who will immediately inject money into the economy."