Jobs and the Economy

The Congressman voted for H.R. 1, the American Recover and Reinvestment Act. The bill:

• Allocated $3.9 billion to create and save jobs in the State of Maryland
• Funded important infrastructure improvements including bridge repairs, road widening, and train and bus upgrades
• Provided assistance to individuals and businesses in the form of tax cuts and direct payments
• Allocated much needed aid to cash-strapped states to prevent layoffs
• Paid for Medicare expansion to cover more unemployed workers and increased federal matching payments to ease the financial burden on the states

Congressman Ruppersberger supported H.R. 2847, the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act. The legislation:

• Encourages businesses to hire unemployed workers to get America working again
• Forgives payroll taxes for companies that hire someone who has been our of work for at least two months
• Allows businesses to write off investments in equipment this year rather than traditional depreciation schedules that tend to take years
• Reform municipal bonds to encourage job creation by expanding investment in schools and clean energy projects
• Maintain critical investments in our roads and bridges to keep construction crews working and our critical infrastructure in good shape

Congressman Ruppersberger voted for H.R. 3435, the Cash for Clunkers Program. The bill:

• Encouraged consumers to trade in their old, gas-guzzling cars for vouchers worth up to $4,500 to help pay for new, more fuel-efficient vehicles
• Helped grow our clean energy economy, reduce pollution, and save drivers money at the pump while putting Americans back to work
• Created a flurry of car buying and spurred the sale of around 700,000 cars in the United States