Press Releases

Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02), a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, submitted the following statement to the U.S. House of Representatives, criticizing the majority party for failing to propose a jobs plan that will help the economy and get people back to work. Instead, the Republicans are wasting taxpayer dollars and two days on the House floor on a vote instructing House committees to conduct oversight-a task they already perform.

“My number one priority is growing the economy and creating jobs in the Pacific Northwest, but the new majority party seems to have a different agenda,” said Rep. Larsen. “It is past time for a jobs plan that will put people back to work and help build our economy.”

“Of course oversight is important. In fact, the Democrats conducted 1,400 oversight hearings in the 110th Congress. But let’s not waste two days debating something we are already doing while the American people need us to focus on jobs and the economy.”

“Investing in our crumbling roads, bridges, ports and railroads is a surefire way to keep our economy moving, create good jobs in our community, and maintain US economic leadership in the world,” said Rep. Larsen.

The text of Larsen’s statement follows:

Mr Speaker, I rise today to speak in support of investing in our nation’s infrastructure to create good, family-wage jobs.

The American people want Congress to focus on growing jobs and getting the economy back on track.

But the new majority has failed to present any plan to tackle our economic problems or create new jobs for Americans left struggling in the wake of the economic recession.

Of course oversight is important. In fact, the Democrats conducted 1,400 oversight hearings in the 110th Congress. But let’s not waste two days debating something we are already doing while the American people need us to focus on jobs and the economy.

We need a jobs plan now that will invest in our infrastructure so we can rebuild our nation’s crumbling roads, bridges, highways and railroads to keep our economy moving and create good jobs in our communities.

As a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I am committed to improving and enhancing our infrastructure so we can expand our workforce and maintain US economic leadership in the world.

I urge my colleagues to oppose this misguided effort and direct our attention instead to policies that will get our economy moving and create jobs.

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