On the recordMarch 4, 2010
I will not speak long because, the sooner we finish debate on this bill, the sooner it goes back to the Senate, the sooner it goes to the White House for signature, and the sooner jobs are created in our country. I agree with much of what the distinguished ranking member on the committee said about wanting a 6-year bill. Our chairman, Mr. Oberstar, has been advocating for that, and I agree. I also agree that the language has to be changed, and we have the commitment to do that as we go forward, but that doesn't mean that Americans are not suffering, that they do not need jobs. We should act, and we should act today to bring them closer. Just over a year ago, this Congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. As a result of that, more than 2 million jobs were saved or created. Very important. All over the country, as Members go home to their districts, they see evidence of investments in the future: Clean energy jobs for the future, the education of our children, the safety of our neighborhoods, the creation of jobs, the stabilization of our economy, the stabilization of State and local budgets.
