tomgraves.house.gov

Graves, Tom
Contact: Jennifer Hazelton (202) 225-5211


Billions of Dollars Down the Drain
Third Anniversary of Obama's Stimulus

Washington, Feb 16 -

U.S. Rep. Tom Graves (R-GA-09) issued the following statement ahead of the third anniversary of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, otherwise known as Obama’s stimulus bill.  The nearly $800 billion bill was signed into law by President Obama on February 17, 2009.

“President Obama’s failed stimulus reaffirmed two basic conservative principles:  1) A government can’t spend its way out of a recession 2) The private sector must be the engine that drives sustainable job growth.”

“The federal government has a poor track record when it comes to spending taxpayers’ money wisely.  And, the stimulus package is proof of that.  Millions of dollars have been wasted on projects like tattoo removal for gang members, searching for fossils in Argentina, and sending researchers overseas to photograph ants.  And, billions more remain unspent.  Let’s end this pointless exercise and return this money to the American people.”

“Even with the billions spent by the stimulus, this is the worst jobs recovery since the Great Depression.  In trying to rally Americans to support the stimulus bill, President Obama promised that it would keep unemployment below 8%.   The President has not kept that promise.  Unemployment has been above 8% for three straight years. And, 6.3 million Americans have fallen into poverty since Mr. Obama took office.  Empowering the American people, not government, is the solution to getting the American people back to work.”