Byron Dorgan: “We do not have the option, in my judgment, of leaving this session of Congress without passing a package of legislation…”

“We do not have the option, in my judgment, of leaving this session of Congress without passing a package of legislation that will try to stimulate this economy. This economy was on its knees going into September 11. It was a weak economy in a great deal of trouble. On September 11, we had the cowardly terrorists acts that cut a hole in this country's economy. I fear very much that perhaps most of us do not fully understand how and why the economy hurts. We need to err, if we err, on the side of taking bold, aggressive action to stimulate the economy. Stimulating an economy is done by creating incentives for investment and incentives for consumption. Part of the incentives for consumption are to assist those in this country who, during a tough economy, are losing their jobs. Hundreds of thousands of Americans have lost their jobs and have unemployment compensation that is inadequate, for too short a duration. Part of the stimulus package has to be to help those families, as well. That money is invested immediately into the economy in the form of consumption.”