This afternoon, the House passed the Conference Report of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act by a vote of 246-183, to save and create jobs, get our economy moving again, and transform it for long-term growth and stability.
Learn more about the legislation:
Clean, Efficient, American Energy
Transforming our Economy with Science and Technology
Lowering Health Care Costs and Ensuring Broader Coverage
Investing in Education for the 21st Century
Modernizing Roads, Bridges, Transit and Waterways
Tax Cuts for Middle-Class Families and American Businesses
Speaker Pelosi:
Speaker Pelosi: “As we gather here today, the American people are watching and waiting. They want to see if we can act on their behalf. They want to know if we have heard their pleas. They're concerned about their jobs — whether they can hold them. Those who have lost their jobs are concerned about how they are going to be able to have any economic stability for their families. They're concerned about their health care. They're concerned about putting food on the table.”
Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD):
Leader Hoyer: “A real economic recovery isn't just about responding to a short term emergency–it's about building a wise foundation for the future. Besides creating jobs immediately, we will invest in new energy technologies, fund cutting-edge research, and help our hospitals save money and lives. All of those are investments that promise growth and savings in the years to come, to ensure that our nation does not slip back into recession.”
Chairman David Obey (D-WI):
Chairman Obey: “Now, the critics say a number of things. They say the bill is too big. And then they announce they are going to produce a recommit motion which adds $9 billion to the costs. That’s what I call falling off both sides of the horse at the same time. I would suggest that this bill is big all right. But I’ll make you a deal. You show me a smaller problem that we have to confront and I will be happy to produce a smaller bill.”
Chairman Charlie Rangel (D-NY):
Chairman Rangel: “Today is an historic day for our nation. Congress has heeded President Obama's call to action to rebuild our economy and rebuild American confidence. We use an expression in the Committee to inquire about vote history, we say 'how is the gentle lady, or gentleman recorded?' Today is one of those rare moments when history will look back on how Members record their votes on this bill.”
Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA):
Chairman Waxman: “The conference agreement will accelerate deployment of smart grid technology throughout the country, offer loan guarantees for renewable energy and transmission projects, and promote energy efficiency throughout the country…these provisions will support economic recovery through the creation of thousands of jobs, especially for low and middle-income Americans, as the nation dramatically increases the efficiency with which it uses energy and relies upon renewable sources of energy.”
Chairman George Miller (D-CA):
Chairman George Miller: “Today when this country cries out to help this economy, to help America’s families who are unemployed, who are losing income, losing jobs, President Obama stepped forth with the American Recovery Act. The Republicans step forth with saying 'no.' It was reflective when Minority Leader John Boehner’s instructions to his colleagues to oppose the bill, even as President Obama was traveling the Hill to meet with them and discuss this bill with them, they decided in advance of that meeting they would say 'no.' Minority Whip Eric Cantor of Virginia has said that 'no' is going to be the Republican strategy on this economic crises. 'No' is going to be their strategy, he said. The Republican national spokesman of late, radio host Rush Limbaugh, added that 'no is the strategy by asserting on the air he wants President Obama to fail. Does he understand if President Obama fails, that the American families lose income, they lose their jobs, and the crises continues? And here we see the repeating of ‘no.’”
Chairman Ed Markey (D-MA):
Rep. Lois Capps (D-CA):
Rep. Jay Inslee (D-WA):