Jump-Starting the Economy This past week, the House passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Bill of 2009. The recovery plan is designed to create three to four million new jobs in the next two years. Infrastructure investments are a major component of this job creation plan. Hundreds of thousands of jobs will be created through the modernization of public infrastructure, including bridge and road construction. More jobs will come from clean water, flood control, and environmental restoration initiatives. Investments in public transit will create still more employment opportunities, save billions of gallons of gasoline each year, and reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 37 million metric tons annually. In total, these infrastructure provisions alone will create an estimated 1.8 million American jobs. All of these infrastructure investments will mean little if we do not work to solve the growing energy crisis that threatens our solvency, security, and environment. The plan will begin a transformation of the nation’s energy transmission, distribution, production, and storage systems. A smarter and more efficient grid will be developed to transmit renewable energy. Battery technology to power fuel-efficient, low-emissions vehicles will further reduce our oil dependency. Billions of dollars in tax cuts will be put in place to promote clean, renewable energy, including a new enhanced tax credit for research and development. To lower energy costs, we plan to repair and retrofit public housing, and we will improve the energy efficiency of more than a million private homes through weatherization. In addition, support will be given to science facilities, research, and instrumentation, infusing that sector with much-needed funds so that the US can remain a leading innovator in science and technology. Finally, the plan includes a provision to expand broadband internet access so that businesses in rural and other underserved areas can link-up to the global economy. For every dollar invested in broadband, the economy will see a ten-fold return on that investment. If America is to remain economically competitive in the 21st century, we need to invest in our greatest natural resource – our children. Smart investments in education are the best way to ensure long-term prosperity, foster innovation, and create a new generation of leaders. Under the proposed recovery plan, we will equip hundreds of thousands of schools with 21st century classrooms, labs, and computers. Additional funds will be used to prevent teacher layoffs and other cutbacks in education. We will make college more affordable through a tax credit for college tuition and an increase in the Pell Grant. Finally, the plan will fund learning through Title I grants for low-income students and IDEA Special Education grants for children with disabilities. Health care reform will help millions of struggling Americans and play a key role in the revitalization of our economy. The recovery plan contains some crucial initial steps toward inclusive, cheaper, quality health care, which will lower health care costs and save lives by investing in health information technology. This computerization process will create thousands of new jobs. More funds are slated for a prevention and wellness initiative that will reduce the burden of chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. Finally, we will invest in quality treatments and cures by funding medical research. Americans are facing the most severe economic crisis since the Great Depression. I hope the bold actions outlined in this plan give you confidence that the 111th Congress and the new Administration are crafting a comprehensive, carefully regulated plan that will provide immediate relief. The forward-thinking provisions of this plan will begin the process of revolutionizing our economy, so that the country we leave our children is better than the one we inherited. The Senate now has to act on the stimulus package. As always, please feel free to contact me in Washington, D.C. or in Des Moines at 515-282-1909.