Pallone Praises Obama for Focus on Jobs

Washington, D. C. - Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. issued the following statement in response to President Barack Obama's "American Jobs Act," presented to Congress Thursday evening:

"The President is doing the right thing by focusing on job creation and he's doing it the right way with an emphasis on immediate actions that will put people to work as soon as possible. By hiring teachers, construction workers, first responders and other public workers, vital public needs will be met at the same time their paychecks are used to support their families and fuel economic activity. It is a smart investment in American workers at a time of real need.

"The President's plan should be embraced and advanced by everyone in Congress, Democrats and Republicans alike. I hope, for the sake of the country's urgent economic needs, that partisan politics isn't used to block or delay progress.

"The immediacy of this plan is important, but these actions are also smart investments in our future. Returning laid off teachers to their classrooms and putting people to work rebuilding the nation's schools are just as much investments in the future as they are a help to the immediate economic needs. Rebuilding the country's infrastructure will get construction workers back on the job at the same time we build for the future. And training veterans of Iraq and Iran with up-to-date job skills is the best thing to do for them and for the country.

"The plan's funding is more than fair. Closing corporate tax loopholes and asking the wealthiest Americans to contribute their fair share are the right things to do, especially because it is going towards economic recovery and future growth. There are more actions we can take to put Americans back to work and to invest in economic growth, but the President's plan is a good action plan that will provide immediate benefits."