I am pleased that today, I am witnessing a glimmer of hope that bi-partisanship based around enacting job creating legislation and helping the middle class is possible. This is something that has been sorely missed throughout the 112th Congress. The actions we take today will put over $90 billion into the economy. In the Garden State, this means $100 million into the construction industry, over $285 million into manufacturing and the creation of almost 1,500 retail jobs. More importantly, this means families in Bergen, Passaic and Hudson counties will receive between $1,000 and almost $1,500 directly in their pockets over the course of the next year. While people say this isn't a lot of real money, I will tell you, every dollar matters when people are in need and every dollar matters to help continue our economic recovery. Over the last couple of months, we've seen signs that our recovery is accelerating, including 23 month of private sector job growth, 247,000 new jobs in January added, with the highest increase in manufacturing jobs since the late 1990s. This week, initial jobless claims dropped yesterday to their lowest level since March 2008, recent economic surveys showed strong gains in new orders, and the Dow Jones is at its highest level since May 2008. However, despite this good news, now is not the time to take our foot off the gas.…
Share & report
More from Bill Pascrell
I thank the chairman for yielding. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the truth and justice. Twenty years ago, we suffered the worst external terrorist attack in our modern history. But the gravest attack ever on American democracy came…
The Affordable Insulin Now Act will cap out-of-pocket insulin costs at $35 a month--not a miracle by any stretch of the imagination. And anyone who supports legislation in this order and others where we address other diseases obviously, we…
I thank our chairwoman, Carolyn Maloney, in particular, and Peter King. From the very beginning, they have been steadfast. And I say to you, the angels are singing now. We all know it took some kicking and screaming to get this fund…
I thank Mr. Scott for his comments. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of our brave men and women in blue who put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities. In recognition of their service, my co-chair, the…





