Dear Mrs. XXX:
Thank you for your correspondence concerning the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, H.R. 1. I appreciate hearing your thoughts and opinions regarding this legislation.
I've heard from many of my constituents regarding this bill. Many supported the bill while many others did not. Many expressed the desire to see our government work in a bipartisan fashion to address how the government can assist in trying to help our ailing economy. During my time in the House of Representatives, I am proud that my record reflects my willingness to work with my colleagues from across the aisle on many issues. For me, this stimulus bill was not about party politics, but rather it was about trying to stimulate the economy and help Americans who are being hit with dire financial hardships. Unfortunately, I believe this bill did not appropriately address either issue and instead straddled the American people with a $789 billion tax bill. While the bill does include some worthwhile projects that should receive federal funding, I do not believe the funds should be allocated in a bill that is intended to stimulate the economy. Funding for these programs should be going through the standard appropriations process.
As you may be aware, I did not support President Bush's Wall Street bailout bill either. I have never been one to believe that throwing huge sums of taxpayer dollars at a problem fixes it. I have heard from so many people who thought the first bailout bill was rushed through Congress, terribly mismanaged, and did not effectively use tax payer dollars. I could not in good conscience support a second bill, in which I was given ninety minutes to read over 1,100 pages, that does not correct the same issues. With millions of Americans losing their jobs and homes, this $789 billion bill does little to create jobs and ease hardships. I doubt providing $8 to $14 more a week to individuals in their paychecks is going to make a mortgage payment, pay a utility bill, or replenish 401k accounts.
As a new member of the House Appropriation committee, I was hoping to be more involved in crafting this bill, however, I was not afforded the opportunity to even sit at the table and neither were most members of Congress. Bipartisanship brings many views to the table in an effort to find the best possible solutions. While President Obama has made sincere efforts to promote bipartisanship, the democratic leadership in the House did not feel it necessary to have any republicans involved in the process. It seems to defy logic that if someone is looking for support from two groups that you leave one group out of the discussion. Nevertheless, I believe that this bill is not good for Middle America or small businesses.
Now that the bill has passed and has been signed into law, I can only hope that it will positively impact our economy, the people in my district, and out country. Once again, thank you for sharing your concerns and positions with me. Please know that I am aware of the severity of what we have faced and what we will continue to face and I am making every effort to represent my constituency in the best possible manner.
Very truly yours,
Steven C. LaTourette
Member of Congress