Watchdog Group Urges Senate to Pass Pro-Growth Stimulus Package
Press Release
For Immediate Release | Contact: Sean Rushton or Philippa Jeffery |
November 8, 2001 | (202) 467-5300 |
Washington, D.C. - The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW) today called on the U.S. Senate to pass a stimulus package that resembles the one passed in the House last month and conforms to President George W. Bush's recommendations.
"The September 11 attacks sent shock waves throughout the country, both on a personal and economic level. Many Americans are reluctant to spend money because they are concerned about the state of the economy and their jobs," CCAGW President Tom Schatz said. "They know the unemployment rate has climbed to 5.4 percent. Businesses have suffered greatly as a result of the crisis's ripple effect. An economic stimulus bill is essential to stimulate new economic growth."
CCAGW supports accelerating the marginal tax cuts passed earlier this year, enhancing expensing of capital investments, and other provisions included in the House bill.
“CCAGW’s one million members and supporters believe investors, entrepreneurs, and businesses must be incentivized to attract capital back into the market to take new risks and begin expanding again,” Schatz added. “That is the only way to attract capital, create jobs, and restore economic growth. That is how the government can help restore consumer confidence and get the economy back on track."
"What we do not need at this time are more public works or pork-barrel projects such as highway enhancements, Amtrak expansion, or spending on special interests such as the American Indian Livestock Program or other agricultural loans and grants,” he added.
"First the Senate dillydallied in getting a stimulus package written and debated. Now it has finally produced a $67 billion package, top loaded with new government spending and containing very little stimulus," Schatz said.
"President Bush has recognized that there is already enough government money available to cope with the disastrous effects of September 11, and has pledged to veto any bill that exceeds the $686 billion agreed to with Congress on October 2," he concluded. "The stimulus bill should not be used as a vehicle to spend even more. Taxpayers expect and demand the Senate to pass a real stimulus bill by returning tax dollars back to businesses and to individuals."
CCAGW is the lobbying arm of Citizens Against Government Waste, the nation’s largest taxpayer advocacy group with over one million members and supporters nationwide. It is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating waste, fraud, mismanagement and abuse in government.