Manzullo Explains “No” Vote on Stimulus Package

Here is 16th District Congressman Don Manzullo’s explanation of why he voted against the Democratic Party’s “economic stimulus” bill. It was received yesterday.

McHenry County’s other federal representative, Melissa Bean, voted for the legislation.

Manzullo Supports Job-Creating Tax
Relief, Opposes Jobless Spending Spree

(WASHINGTON) Congressman Don Manzullo (R-Egan) will vote later today for an alternative economic stimulus bill that focuses on job-creating tax relief that will re-start manufacturing and put Americans back to work. He will oppose the bloated $1.1 trillion Democrat leadership bill chocked full of questionable spending programs that will saddle future generations with massive debt without stimulating our economy or creating jobs.

The vote is expected later this afternoon.

“Americans have had enough of our government’s wasteful spending practices starting with the ineffective $850 billion Wall Street bailout and continuing with this $1.1 trillion non-stimulus spending spree,” Manzullo said.

“Let’s empower Americans to lead the economic recovery by putting more of their money back in their pockets so they can re-invest it in our communities.”

Despite being promoted as a job-creating infrastructure bill, the bill brought by House Democrat leaders sets aside $30 billion – just 4 percent – for road funding.

The State of Illinois is expected to get just $1 billion of that money, which is less than half the normal federal road money allocation to the states.

In fact, the State of Illinois is still sitting on $6.2 billion in federal gas tax monies Congress gave to the state in 2005 because the state has not been able to agree on a capital plan.

And because there is no opportunity to designate the road funding for specific projects, all the money will go to the state, which historically has ignored northern Illinois’ road needs outside of Chicago.

Instead, the Democrat leadership bill is chocked full of hundreds of billions of dollars of spending increases on programs that have nothing to do with stimulating the economy or creating jobs.

Spending increases for these programs should be debated during the normal appropriations process, not as part of an emergency spending bill. Some of the questionable spending in the stimulus bill that doesn’t create jobs includes:

  • $335 million to fight Sexually Transmitted Diseases.
  • $50 million for the National Endowment for the Arts.
  • $400 million to study climate change.
  • $650 million dollars for additional coupons for digital TV converter boxes, all made overseas.
  • $1 billion for a post-analysis of the 2010 census.

Manzullo will support an alternative bill that cuts taxes for all working Americans and would create 6.2 million jobs, twice the President’s goal.

With this rate reduction, a working couple could save up to $3,400 a year in taxes they could re-invest into the economy and create jobs. Manzullo also supports significant tax incentives to encourage America’s job-creating small businesses to put Americans back to work; a $7,500 tax credit to encourage Americans to buy a home; and a $5,000 tax credit to encourage Americans to buy a new vehicle.

“The best way to stimulate our economy and put Americans back to work is to let Americans keep more of their hard-earned money so they can re-invest it back into the economy,” Manzullo said.

“Unfortunately, the bill presented to us by House Democrats today spends an enormous amount of money with little job creation, shouldering our children and grandchildren with massive debt in the future.”


Comments

Manzullo Explains “No” Vote on Stimulus Package — 4 Comments

  1. Don Manzullo voted NO because that’s what the Republicans told him to do. Period. End of story. His district voted to elect Barack Obama. In 2010 they will elect a representative that listens to THE VOTERS not the PARTY.

  2. I’d love to see an idea from Manzullo that doesn’t start and end with “lower taxes,” but I won’t hold my breath.

  3. Is this just another political party line vote? Did you vote for the Bush stimulus package that didnt stimulate a thing. How about the first bailout for the banks and hedgefunds, with no preconditions? Shameful!

  4. Your District’s unemployment rate is the highest in the state and you vote no. Rockford has 13.5% Winnebago and Boone avgerage is 12.5% and rising. It is quite obvious your concern is the PARTY LINE not the PEOPLE!!! Disgusting.

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