Simpson Votes No On Economic Stimulus Bill

Press Release

Today the U.S. House Appropriations Committee passed an $825 billion economic stimulus package. Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson, a member of the Committee, is appalled at the unprecedented spending contained in the economic stimulus package with very little guarantee of economic growth and voted against the measure.

"There is not a more bipartisan committee than the Appropriations Committee. We work together to solve problems and try to use taxpayer dollars wisely and justly," said Simpson. "However, I am extremely concerned over the enormous cost of this package and the dangerous lack of oversight that Congress will have once the money is spent."

Simpson won passage of an amendment to restore ongoing Congressional oversight of funds not spent expeditiously by federal agencies. Simpson's amendment requires federal agencies to come back to Congress for approval to spend or transfer funding that would occur in fiscal year 2011 and beyond. Prior to the passage of Simpson's amendment, the legislation granted unchecked authority to the Executive Branch to re-allocate funding to other programs after the expiration of the 2010 fiscal year.

"My amendment preserves the authority of Congress over the purse strings and stops the unchecked spending authority allocated to federal agencies under this bill," said Simpson. "While I do not support the passage of this bill, I am grateful to have had the chance to make a bad bill slightly better."

Simpson continues, "The American public is asking for a real economic stimulus plan, and it should provide immediate support to our economy. This package was originally billed as an investment in transportation and infrastructure, an effort that I believe, if carefully crafted, could provide jobs and ensure a good return for the taxpayer's money while promoting long-term economic growth. Instead, the legislation we considered today creates new, untested government programs and generates unsustainable funding levels for programs that do not immediately stimulate the economy. From where I stand, this is simply a government spending package, not an economic stimulus package. This is not the time to grow and create government programs, but a time to provide measureable economic growth."

The stimulus bill being considered by Congress will cost $825 billion. In 1993 the unemployment rate was around 7%, virtually the same as it is today, yet the proposed stimulus plan at that time contained only around $16 billion in spending. This bill provides enough spending to give every man, woman and child in America $2,700, yet will cost every household $6,700 in additional debt.

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