"This bill did nothing about the central problem, which is to get the financial system flowing again," he charged. "It did focus on growing a lot of government programs and did not really do nearly as much as it could have done to create short-term jobs both in the public and in the private sector through tax incentives." Congressman Tom Petri of Wisconsin served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Somalia in the 1960's.
Republican Congressman Tom Petri of Fond du Lac said he voted against it because he thinks the legislation needed to focus even more on the short-term stimulation of the economy
Two Lawmakers' Opposing Views of Economic Stimulus
Updated:
By Adam Aaro
Late Friday night, the US Senate approved the $787 billion stimulus package.
The massive bill passed the Democratically-controlled Senate with the help of three moderate GOP members by a 60-38 vote.
The House passed the measure 246-183 earlier Friday. No House Republicans supported the 1,000-plus page bill, which includes tax cuts for the middle class and federal spending.
The bill now goes to President Obama's desk. He's said he wants to sign the bill Monday.
Two of Northeastern Wisconsin's members of Congress were split on the stimulus bill.
Creating jobs was one of the primary reasons Democratic Congressman Steve Kagen of Appleton said he voted for the American reinvestment and Recovery Act.
He said the legislation will bring about 70,000 jobs to Wisconsin, with 8,000 in Northeastern Wisconsin.
"You're going to see some effects of this right away. Within the legislation we put in wording that will demand that the governors who will receive a number of billions of dollars, they have to invest these dollars and get the shovels in the ground within 120 days, so you'll see job creation almost immediately within three to four months," Rep. Kagen said.
Republican Congressman Tom Petri of Fond du Lac said he voted against it because he thinks the legislation needed to focus even more on the short-term stimulation of the economy.
"This bill did nothing about the central problem, which is to get the financial system flowing again," he charged. "It did focus on growing a lot of government programs and did not really do nearly as much as it could have done to create short-term jobs both in the public and in the private sector through tax incentives."
Rep. Kagen said, "This bill will create new jobs in education, in construction on schools, in health care, in energy, and our nation's infrastructure. It's going to jump start our economy and begin to transform our economy away from a consumer-driven economy more toward making things again."
"I favor an even larger, focused, short-term stimulation bill. I called for us doing more in the area of transportation, infrastructure, and other public works," Rep. Petri said.
What both men can agree on is their hope the legislation does do what it's intended -- by helping bring America out of this recession.
