January 29, 2008
For Immediate Release: January 30, 2008
Contact: Cleve Mesidor, (202) 225-2661
(Washington, DC) – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9) released the following statement regarding the economic stimulus package:
“I commend the Speaker and Democratic leadership for quickly acting to develop a bipartisan stimulus package to help prevent our economy from sliding into recession. But I have strong reservations about any strategy that does not take meaningful steps to help all Americans in need. Specifically, I’m concerned that the minimum earnings requirement of $3000 leaves out the neediest.
“Just last week, the House passed my resolution (H.Con.Res.198) to cut poverty in half. While this stimulus bill is a step in the right direction, it’s also important to act on our words by ensuring ‘the least among us’ don’t bear the brunt of an economic downturn.
“We have reason to be concerned. Since the Bush administration took office in 2001, the median income is nearly 2 percent below its high in 2000; more than 5 million have fallen into poverty for a total 37 million Americans living in poverty; and the unemployment rate has risen to 5 percent, almost double for African American males.
“We must assist those who are going to lose their homes in the mortgage foreclosure crisis, provide increased funding for food stamps and FMAP Medicaid payments to states and make sure that unemployment benefits are extended.
“Any economic relief package we provide will be a hollow victory if those most in need are excluded. We have a moral obligation to make certain that the gap between the haves and have nots isn't widened by our actions. Congress must ensure that the economic stimulus package it provides to stem the downward slide reaches all Americans. “
Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9) sits on the House Appropriations Committee and is co-founder of the Out of Poverty Caucus. She serves as Co-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and is First Vice-Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.
Barbara Lee Offers Caution on Economic Stimulus Package
PRESS RELEASEFor Immediate Release: January 30, 2008
Contact: Cleve Mesidor, (202) 225-2661
(Washington, DC) – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9) released the following statement regarding the economic stimulus package:
“I commend the Speaker and Democratic leadership for quickly acting to develop a bipartisan stimulus package to help prevent our economy from sliding into recession. But I have strong reservations about any strategy that does not take meaningful steps to help all Americans in need. Specifically, I’m concerned that the minimum earnings requirement of $3000 leaves out the neediest.
“Just last week, the House passed my resolution (H.Con.Res.198) to cut poverty in half. While this stimulus bill is a step in the right direction, it’s also important to act on our words by ensuring ‘the least among us’ don’t bear the brunt of an economic downturn.
“We have reason to be concerned. Since the Bush administration took office in 2001, the median income is nearly 2 percent below its high in 2000; more than 5 million have fallen into poverty for a total 37 million Americans living in poverty; and the unemployment rate has risen to 5 percent, almost double for African American males.
“We must assist those who are going to lose their homes in the mortgage foreclosure crisis, provide increased funding for food stamps and FMAP Medicaid payments to states and make sure that unemployment benefits are extended.
“Any economic relief package we provide will be a hollow victory if those most in need are excluded. We have a moral obligation to make certain that the gap between the haves and have nots isn't widened by our actions. Congress must ensure that the economic stimulus package it provides to stem the downward slide reaches all Americans. “
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Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9) sits on the House Appropriations Committee and is co-founder of the Out of Poverty Caucus. She serves as Co-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and is First Vice-Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus.