Bill Nelson: “I compliment and encourage the bipartisan efforts among the leadership in meeting with the President to discuss how to…”

“I compliment and encourage the bipartisan efforts among the leadership in meeting with the President to discuss how to best proceed on an economic stimulus package. The efforts of those negotiators, in the framework set out last night whereby the top elected leadership of both parties in this Chamber will approach their efforts with the leadership in the House of Representatives and come to an agreement with regard to a stimulus package and taxes, is clearly a step in the right direction. We do need a stimulus package. We need it as soon as possible. We need it operative by the end of this year. A few days ago, the National Bureau of Economic Research declared the U.S. economy has been in a recession since March. Some have responded to that announcement by saying since 6 months have already transpired, and since our average recession is typically less than 11 months, there was not a need to pass an economic stimulus package. They would say our economy at this point would likely recover on its own. I disagree with those conclusions. That is why I think we ought to move ahead with a stimulus package.”