Congress Passes “Jobs Spending” Bill: The First One Didn’t Work, So Here Comes Another
For Immediate Release
May 29, 2010
Contact: Kerry Niemcek 920-257-9746
Last night, Congress voted to spend $116 billion on another “Jobs Bill.” The people of Northeastern Wisconsin are still looking for the jobs allegedly created through last year’s federal “stimulus” package supported by Congressman Steve Kagen…and now he wants to spend more.
Republican candidate Reid Ribble, a former Kaukauna-area business owner, questioned Dr. Kagen’s vote.
“Kagen has voted to spend trillions of dollars, allegedly in the name of job creation,” Ribble said. “Unemployment remains high. The economy is not responding to Congress’ huge spending initiatives. Why would they continue to increase debt? Our children will have to pay these bills. Our grandchildren will have to pay these bills.”
The bill is estimated to cost $116 billion, and is projected to add $54 billion to budget deficits over the next ten years, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
Ribble voiced concerns about spending additional dollars on programs that have not invested taxpayer dollars wisely. According to the federal government’s own website, www.Recovery.gov, Wisconsin’s Eighth Congressional District is set to receive $300 million, which has only created 152 jobs.
“This is a terrible return on our taxpayer investment,” Ribble said. “So we spend an average of $1.9 million for every job we ‘save’ or ‘create’ in this district? Surely the money could be better spent. For as much as Congressman Kagen enjoys criticizing other institutions who abuse their clients’ investments, the current Congressional track record is abysmal.”
Small businesses have been reluctant to hire new employees due to the uncertainties of new regulations and potential regulation at the national level. Proposals like cap-and-trade, stimulus, health care reform and now, last night’s “American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act” add increased taxes to the generators of jobs.
“The best thing that Congress can do to help the economy is to stop passing legislation and go home,” Ribble said. “Congressional representatives need to leave the echo chamber of Washington and actually listen to their constituents. If they had the opportunity to actually speak with Congressman Kagen, Northeastern Wisconsin residents would tell him to stop spending money recklessly at the expense of American families.”
Kagen’s “Aye” vote on HR 4213 may be found at: http://www.opencongress.org/vote/2010/h/325
