The House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee held a hearing today on creating jobs now in America. The hearing emphasized urgent actions that the 112th Congress should take to create jobs and engage the private sector in rebuilding America through the improvement of schools, hospitals, highways, ports and other transportation facilities needed for manufacturing and trade.
House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi echoed the call President Obama made in the State of the Union address to invest in our nation’s future:
“Just one week ago, President Obama came before Congress for the State of the Union and said, ‘[A key step] to winning the future is rebuilding America. To attract new businesses to our shores, we need the fastest, most reliable ways to move people, goods, and information -- from high-speed rail to high-speed Internet.’”
Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), co-chair of the committee, noted that other countries are making significant investments right now, laying the groundwork for economic success once the global economy turns around:
“Thus far, Congress has showed little urgency to address the jobs situation. That must change. With tight budgets, we will have to identify those investments that offer the best bang for the buck to get people back to work and provide long-term benefits to our economy. Major economies around the world are making these investments today to better position themselves to compete once the economy recovers. We must not fall behind.”
Witnesses for the hearing included:
• Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley• Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter• Dr. William R. Buechner, Vice President for Economics and Research, American Road and Transport Builders Association• Mr. Andy Herrmann, President-elect, American Society of Civil Engineers• Ms. Susan Monteverde, Vice President for Government Relations, American Association of Port Authorities• Mr. Damon A. Silvers, Director of Policy and Special Counsel for the AFL-CIO
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