Donna Edwards: “I rise today to address the suffering felt throughout our Nation as Americans lose homes, businesses, jobs and…”

“I rise today to address the suffering felt throughout our Nation as Americans lose homes, businesses, jobs and opportunity. The job loss is proceeding at an alarming pace, one that hasn't been seen in decades. In January alone, 598,000 jobs were lost, the largest 1-month loss in 35 years. And it marked the 13th straight month that more workers were laid off than were hired. And just this morning, the Department of Labor announced that 623,000 initial jobless claims were filed last week. It is a sober reminder that it is time to get this country back on track. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will create 3 to 4 million new jobs over the next years, 66,000 in my home State of Maryland, 8,000 in the Fourth Congressional District of Maryland. And our actions are necessary to stop the free fall and to get this country back on track. Madam Speaker, what we do in this crisis will affect our Nation for generations. And I will vote for the recovery package because it will create jobs. It will create hope, opportunity and confidence for the American people. It is time to restore that hope and opportunity.”