Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, I rise today to offer this amendment to restore funding to the Economic Development Administration. The investments made by EDA in all of our districts lead to economic development and job creation. But these investments are not just some government handout. By law, EDA projects require a 50 percent local cost share and must leverage significant private sector investment. EDA's investments are also competitive and based on a regional, comprehensive economic development strategy that are spearheaded by local officials, private sector leaders and community representatives. The agency utilizes this approach to reflect the local and regional priority of our communities. But most importantly, all EDA project investments must result in creation and retention of high-quality jobs. Let me repeat: EDA is the one agency of the Federal Government that has a singular focus of creating jobs, and it has a strong track record of success in my home State of Maine and throughout the country. {time} 2150 In fact, from 2004 to 2008, EDA-funded projects directly led to the creation of approximately 200,000 jobs. All of us support cuts to spending to get our fiscal house in order, but we all are realistic. We know that actions of one program or agency won't be enough to solve the Nation's job problems. But at a time when our States, local communities, and businesses continue to struggle, it is the wrong time to be cutting a program that is a proven job creator.…”