(Warwick, R.I.) Congressman Jim Langevin today offered the following statement in response to the President’s brief remarks about stimulating the economy:

“Across the country and here in Rhode Island, more and more Americans are struggling to make ends meet. Unemployment has risen to 5 percent.  Home values are dropping, millions of Americans are getting hit with mortgage rate adjustments, and the costs of health care, groceries, gasoline, home heating oil, and a college education are continuing to rise.

“I was pleased to hear the President separate his proposals for an immediate growth package from his pleas to make his tax cuts permanent. An immediate stimulus package must include measures that encourage business investments and target direct and rapid relief for those Americans who need it most. I wholeheartedly agree with him that boosting our economy is our nation’s most pressing economic priority.

“As plans are debated, I pledge to fight for Rhode Island families and for a fiscal stimulus plan that adheres to three simple principles:  it must be timely, targeted and temporary. I remain optimistic that both parties in Congress and the Administration will continue to work together on a package that puts middle- and lower-income families first and will give the economy a much-needed boost.”

The Democratic Congress has already made progress in easing the economic crunch for American families.  Protecting middle class families in a struggling economy has been our highest priority: 
• Passed billions of dollars in relief from the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) for middle-income Americans
• Pending legislation to address the subprime mortgage crisis
• Increased the minimum wage for the first time in a decade
• Enacted a landmark energy bill that will save on energy costs in the coming years
• Given families the most college cost assistance since the GI bill.

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