Congressman Gregory Meeks Praises President Obama's Signing of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Rep. Meeks voted for H.R. 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

(WASHINGTON, DC)– Congressman Gregory Meeks praised President Barack Obama for his signing of the critical legislation to create and save 3.5 million American jobs. This legislation, The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, was approved by a vote of 246-183 last Friday. With the signing of this legislation by President Obama this will rebuild America by making the U.S. more globally competitive, energy independent, transform our economy for long-term growth, and give about 95% of American workers an immediate tack cut that will enable to invest quickly into the U.S. economy.

“Today, President Obama has signed into law critical legislation that will help get the U.S. economy back on track and save 3.5 million jobs. America is facing the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression with 2.6 million American jobs lost. The significance of this plan is that jobs will be created for Americans immediately and will provide one of largest tax cuts in history that will allow Americans to reinvest quickly into the economy,” said Congressman Gregory Meeks.

Among the key provision of this bill included:

• Create and save 3.5 million jobs, rebuilding America, making us more globally competitive and energy independent, and transforming our economy.
• Give 95 percent of American workers an immediate tax cut.
• Invest in roads, bridges, mass transit, energy efficient buildings, flood control, clean water projects, and other infrastructure projects.
• Restore science and innovation as the keys to new American-made technology, preventing and treating disease, and tackling urgent national challenges like climate change and dependence on foreign oil.
• Invest quickly into the economy.

“This legislation has the key components that will ensure that the American taxpayer is protected. There is unprecedented accountability and transparence measures that are present in this economic recovery plan, in addition to, no earmarked projects and a new recovery.gov website that will allow American to track the investments,” said Congressman Gregory Meeks.

Now serving in his sixth full-term, Meeks was elected to the House on February 3, 1998. Representing New York's Sixth Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives, Meeks' district covers all towns of Southeast Queens, Far Rockaway and Howard Beach. He is a member of the House Committee on Financial Services and the Committee on Foreign Affairs. Meeks became Chairman of the International Monetary Policy Subcommittee in 2009 under the House Financial Services Committee. Meeks is a Member of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), New Democrats Caucus and the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC). He serves as the Co-chair of the Malaysia Caucus, Services Caucus, Dialogue Caucus and the Middle East Economic Partnership Caucus.