Congressman John D. Dingell

January 22, 2009

Washington, DC - Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) made the following statement to the Committee on Energy and Commerce during today’s Committee business meeting regarding the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan. The plan was introduced in the House and developed with significant input from President Obama’s transition team. It is the first crucial step towards creating or saving more than 3 to 4 million jobs in the next 2 years.

“Thank you, Mr. Chairman – Just two days after the inauguration of President Obama, we are here today getting to the business of formulating a plan to stimulate the economy and put us on the right track going forward.  After eight very long years, it is refreshing to work with an Administration that prioritizes the needs of average Americans ahead of the wealthiest few.   

“You are to be commended, Mr. Chairman, for acting promptly on portions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that are within the jurisdiction of the Energy and Commerce Committee.  It is critically important that the Committee make its mark on this bill. 

“While it is true that the process by which this bill is moving is somewhat irregular, it is also true that the economic woes faced by our Nation require swift and well-reasoned action.  I can assure you that my constituents in Michigan - where we felt the pains of this recession before the rest of the country and, as a state that relies heavily on the manufacturing sector, we have been hit particularly hard – desperately want action.

“The broadband portions of this bill will play a crucial role in helping states develop broadband infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas.  Furthermore, I am particularly pleased that this legislation includes $650 million to augment the National Telecommunications and Information Administration’s DTV transition-related activities, which have thus far been wholly inadequate.

“The energy provisions of this bill will make a few technical corrections and will set us on the right track for a more energy efficient future by eliminating the cap of the number of smart grid demonstration projects and increasing the threshold for household eligibility for weatherization assistance among other things. 

“In my home state of Michigan, which now suffers an unemployment rate of 10.6 percent, thousands of families are foregoing health care losing their employer-based coverage. While this legislation provides billions to help our states maintain their Medicaid programs, I am concerned that the formula used for calculating the FMAP piece does not take into consideration the length of recession in our hardest hit states.  However, as a whole this legislation will do much to helping those who need the help the most by assisting unemployed workers with the cost of COBRA coverage, and improve the efficiency of our healthcare system by investing $20 billion in health information technology infrastructure and Medicaid and Medicare incentives. This bill will ensure the families who have been hardest hit by the recession won't have to choose between going to the doctor or paying their gas bill.

“I look forward to completing the work before here today is an expeditious and thoughtful manner.”