Posted on 02/14/2009 7:00:51 PM PST by Born Conservative
U.S. Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski reversed himself and voted for the final version of the $787 billion economic stimulus package approved Friday by Congress.
As expected, Rep. Chris Carney and Sens. Arlen Specter and Bob Casey also voted for the package.
Mr. Kanjorski, D-11, opposed the first version, which passed the House late last month. He cited Democratic leaders’ failure to allow bipartisan input into the bill, Congress’ failure to spend enough time preparing the bill, its lack of enough money for road, bridge and infrastructure repairs and construction, that it didn’t provide enough help for retired or unemployed Americans and might disproportionately favor large urban areas while providing no money for struggling local municipalities.
Efforts to reach him Friday were unsuccessful. But in a statement issued by his office, he said the bill was imperfect, but quick action is necessary to create new jobs.
“We are in a time of crisis, and doing nothing is not an option,” Mr. Kanjorski said.
He highlighted its benefits, saying they sufficiently addressed his concerns:
■ Enough money for infrastructure to save or create 143,000 jobs in Pennsylvania, including 7,700 in his congressional district.
■ An extension of unemployment insurance benefits through December 2009 and a hike in benefits of $25 per week along with a one-time $250 payment to retirees and disabled individuals.
■ Provisions to help state and local governments issue bonds for new infrastructure, and grants exclusively for state and local surface transportation projects.
Mr. Kanjorski had wanted a new grant program that would have provided direct financial help to local municipalities, and said he plans to pursue one.
Mr. Carney, whose district is estimated to benefit with the rescue or creation of 7,500 jobs, said he was convinced partly because the package was supported by a broad cross-section of interest groups, including the United States Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Carney, D-10, Dimock Twp., said he disagreed with provisions for funding the arts and battling sexually transmitted diseases, but “that stuff is minor compared to those people who are losing their homes and losing their jobs.”
In a statement, Mr. Specter, one of three Republicans to jump ship and support the package, also mentioned the Chamber of Commerce’s support, noting its “very conservative” nature. He preferred Arizona Sen. John McCain’s rejected proposal of “$421 billion in tax cuts alone,” he said.
“The agreement we reached was the best one we could under the circumstances,” Mr. Specter said.
Mr. Casey accused Republicans who opposed the bill of “circling the wagons” in the face of massive defeats in the past two federal elections.
“I think it’s that simple,” Mr. Casey said. “I just believe it’s the wrong time to put the party before the economic strength of the country.”
Did they throw his parking garage into the bill?
The bill is in. I guess it may buy some time to prepare for the total collapse. My advice would be to cash in everything and plan for survival in the looming complete disater. There is no way out of the box except monetizing the debt. Buy now for the next several years at least. I think the kooks and survivalists were right and I amn joining them. This ponzi is going down. Escape plans are in order.
Not that I know of, although I wouldn’t be surprised.
You have to see this building in context. The borough of Nanticoke is a DUMP, and here is this relatively brand new multi-story building in the middle of it. Talk about a WASTE, although the local community college plans on renting space there.
The video link is of a story from last summer.
So he opposed it because it didn't have ENOUGH spending and pork in it. Wonderful.
It was just 3 weeks ago that he said:
“We face the most challenging economic crisi since the Great Depression, yet this bill merely throws money at the problem by expanding existing programs”
http://blogs.mcall.com/penn_ave/2009/01/kanjorski-to-vote-against-stimulus.html
See post 7.
how does he figure that his vote will create 7K+ jobs in his disrtict. It will NEVER create 7K jobs in his district-and counting new government employees DO NOT count.
Democrat math. This guy has been in Congress so long (24 years), that he believes the spin that he and other Congress thiefs tell their constituents. Just watch the video linked in post #1 and you'll see.
Unfortunately the local R candidates who run against these guys don’t hammer them with this. Conservatives in his district should start inundating the local media with letter talking about “accountability” of these liberals. (I’ve strated in my area-Youngstwon OH-I wrote my first letter the night osamaobama was elected). We have a lib D press, a lib D congress (one of our Senators is Sherrod Brown, and my local rep is Tim Ryan). “No More Excuses”
There is also another situation in his district regarding 2 corrupt judges who sentenced juveniles to a detention facility in exchange for kickbacks (google "Ciavarella Luzerne"; this is a Fed case, and has made it into international media reports). Voter sentiment in Kanjorski's traditionally Democrat district is overwhelmingly anti-corruption, and this could very well be his downfall in 2010, as he is no stranger to corruption
I saw the article in the Pittsbugh Trib about those judges. The Ds in PA are not just dirty they’re filthy. Rendell’s casino deals, Mike Veon in the Beaver Valley, it just goes on and on.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.