Tom Udall: “as I rise today, our Nation is in the midst of a deep recession. Families across America are losing their homes and…”

“as I rise today, our Nation is in the midst of a deep recession. Families across America are losing their homes and business owners are being forced to close doors. In my home State of New Mexico, local workforce solutions offices are besieged with calls from people who need help. Customer service centers are cutting jobs and parents can't pay for their kids' school lunches. Our responsibility is to act, and we must do so with the accountability and oversight the American taxpayers deserve. For months, I have been advocating for an economic recovery package that puts the American people first, one that is carefully targeted to create jobs and stabilize our economy by making the long-term investments economists have said we need now. For years we have neglected to make the needed investments in energy and in conservation, infrastructure, health care, and so much more. Today we have the opportunity to change course. We have the opportunity to make these necessary investments and help shore up our economy at the same time. I wish to thank Chairman Inouye and Chairman Baucus for their hard work in bringing this bill before us. Make no mistake, the package we have before us is not perfect. There are many improvements that, after all the hours of work and all the hours of debate, could make it better. I rise to bring forth one more improvement we can make now.”