WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today Congressman David Wu released the following statement after the House passed major economic stimulus legislation, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, or H.R. 1:

“The current economic situation is uncharted territory for our generation.  We are at the point where nearly everyone knows someone who has lost their job, and Oregonians are struggling.

In the last election voters provided both Congress and President Obama with a mandate to take action on their behalf.  This is the first step—and it’s a major step—toward the investment our economy needs.  This broad package uses every available pipeline, including direct federal funding, money for state and local governments, and tax cuts to support the private sector.  

Oregonians will benefit directly from this bill.  We are investing in the next generation of Oregonians by giving our schools funds to update their facilities and to hire more teachers.  We are investing in our communities by supporting those who have lost their jobs and helping get them back on their feet.  We are investing in Oregon’s future by modernizing our highways, bridges, and transit systems and developing the renewable energy technology that will transform our nation’s energy systems.

Included in the stimulus is a provision based on my legislation to train workers for the available, well-paying jobs using information technology to modernize and improve our health care system—a sector of our economy that is in need of an estimated 200,000 new workers nationwide.

Are there things I would change about this bill?  Yes.  But we have a choice between making a bold commitment to rebuilding our economy and doing nothing, and I won’t just do nothing.  Oregonians were counting on us to act, and I am committed to doing my part to improve this economy.”