Rooney: Stimulus Anniversary a Sad Reminder of President’s Broken Promises
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Tom Rooney (FL-16) issued the following statement marking February 17, 2012 as the three-year anniversary of the President signing the $1.2 trillion stimulus package into law:
“The anniversary of the failed stimulus is a sad reminder of the broken promises that President Obama made to the American people,” Rooney said. “Three years ago, the President told the American people that if Washington borrowed and spent a trillion dollars, then unemployment would stay below eight percent and be down to six percent today. The Pelosi Congress gave the President his trillion-dollar plan, but it failed to deliver the jobs he promised.
“Unemployment remains near double digits in Florida, yet President Obama’s budget doubles down on his failed stimulus policies. We can’t keep spending money we don’t have on programs we know won’t create jobs. The House of Representatives has passed almost 30 jobs bills with bipartisan support that are waiting for votes in the Senate. President Obama should call on the Senate to pass those bills without delay.”
Broken promise: Passing the stimulus would save or create 3.5 million jobs.
Reality: The economy has shed 1.1 million jobs since President Obama took office.
Broken promise: The stimulus would keep unemployment below eight percent.
Reality: Unemployment has remained above eight percent for 36 straight months, and has averaged 9.3 percent since the stimulus passed.
Broken promise: Unemployment would drop to six percent by today under the stimulus.
Reality: Unemployment in January was 8.3 percent, while millions of Americans have simply given up looking for work.
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