February 13: Kaptur Backs Stimulus Bill to Create Jobs and Help Millions of Unemployed Americans

“Our nation is facing a severe economic crisis,” Congresswoman Kaptursaid. “We face the highest unemployment rates in a generation and anuncertain road forward. This legislation strengthens the safety net formillions of seniors and unemployed Americans. It also makes importantinvestments in our future. Although I wish it would have focused moreon job creation in the short term, I am also encouraged by thecommitment to green energy, infrastructure projects, and high-speedrail.”

Congresswoman Kaptur noted that the bill will provide tax relief for 95percent of the American people, authorize checks for $250 for mostsenior citizens and retirees, increase jobless benefits by $25 a week,subsidize COBRA continuing health care benefits for unemployed workers,and expand the Earned Income Tax Credit.

Kaptur noted that the bill makes the most substantial commitment tohigh-speed rail in the nation’s history, noting that she had raised theissue with President Obama last week. She said she is optimistic thatthe $8 billion investment in high-speed rail will stimulate developmentof the important Chicago-Toledo-Sandusky-Cleveland rail corridor, whichshe succeeded in earlier legislation as designating one of 13 majorcorridors in the U.S.

“High-speed rail is a good investment in America’s future—especiallyhere in the Great Lakes coastal region,” she said. “Moving forward onthis initiative will create good jobs and build the moderninfrastructure that will make our region more competitive in future.”Kaptur is a member of the Transportation-Housing subcommittee of HouseAppropriations.

“We have been pushing for real job creation across our region, based onfuture-oriented investment. This latest addition will bring realvalue-added investment throughout our job-starved region and will placeOhio on a new, 21st Century path,” she said.

Read the stimulus here: https://appropriations.house.gov/
- Bill Text - Division A
- Bill Text - Division B
- Bill Text - Signatures of Managers
- Joint Statement - Division A
- Joint Statement - Division B

Stimulus summary: https://appropriations.house.gov/pdf/PressSummary02-12-09.pdf