Economic Stimulus Proposal “Is Not Enough to Make A Real Difference For America’s Working Families”

As housing, heating, and gas bills pile up for America’s workers, and good jobs get even scarcer, it’s time for leaders in Washington to make bold and immediate moves to shore up the economy. Yet the latest economic stimulus proposal simply is not enough to make a real difference for America’s working families. It is up to the Senate to extend unemployment benefits and increase food stamps to get money into the hands of those who will spend it quickest and need it most. Economists agree these programs will have the most immediate impact on the economy, and the most bang for the nation’s buck. Anything less will not be sufficient to keep our economy from diving headlong into recession.

President Bush is just plain wrong to continue to insist that businesses receive tax breaks at the expense of assistance to the growing ranks of unemployed workers. More than 200,000 unemployed workers run out of benefits each month and need immediate assistance for basic needs. As the economy weakens, the number of people without jobs will only increase, and the number of unemployed workers running out of state benefits will increase, leaving too many families with nowhere to turn. Further, giving businesses tax breaks without extending benefits to those who need it most will tighten the squeeze on cash-strapped states that are already considering slashing services due to the economic downturn.

This is no time for Congress to throw in the towel. In addition to extending unemployment benefits and increasing food stamps, we call on the Senate to include fiscal relief to help the states avoid the recessionary effect of budget cuts and tax increases. And we call on the Senate to include an acceleration of ready-to-go construction projects that will put Americans to work making desperately needed repairs to U.S. schools, bridges that have been declared unsafe and sewage treatment infrastructure.

Contact: Steve Smith (202) 412-4440