Washington, D.C. – Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay (D) Missouri applauded the final passage of H.R. 1, the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act, which was approved in the U.S. House today by a vote of 246 – 183.  

“President Obama called on the Congress to take swift and bold action to meet this economic emergency,” said the Congressman. “Today, I’m very proud that we have delivered the most significant jobs bill in American history.  This legislation will help us create and protect 3 – 4 million American jobs.   At least 69,000 of those jobs will be in Missouri. 

The bill also invests almost 1 billion dollars in infrastructure projects across our state, many of them critical to public safety and job creation.”  

Mr. Clay continued, “The stimulus package rebuilds crumbling roads & bridges, transforms healthcare information technology, repairs obsolete schools, advances renewable energy, buys up foreclosed properties and strengthens critical public transit systems.  H.R. 1 will also help Missouri preserve unemployment benefits, Medicaid coverage and other vital public services at the state level, which are at risk." 

The legislation also includes unprecedented accountability and transparency measures to help ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and effectively—including a new recovery.gov website, which will allow taxpayers to track the investments and the progress of projects.

H.R. 1 now moves back to the Senate.  If approved, it is expected that President Obama will sign the legislation on Monday, President’s Day.