WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts today released the following statement on the economic stimulus legislation:

"There is little doubt that our economy needs a stimulus. Americans are concerned about job security, and how they will support their families and stay in their homes if they lose their jobs.

"Our nation’s businesses are also struggling. Not a day seems to pass without another major U.S. employer announcing stunning layoffs.

"However, there is a fundamental disagreement with President Obama and the majority over what constitutes an effective stimulus. The debate is over whether the economy can best be revitalized through an unprecedented increase in government spending, or through pro-growth policies that put money directly into the pockets of families and businesses.

"In my mind, there is no question that putting money back in the pockets of American families and businesses stimulates the economy.

"This so called stimulus bill aims to address problems in the economy through a massive increase in spending by the federal government. It is said to create or save three million jobs.

"What it really does is create 600,000 government jobs, growing the size of the government, adding to the deficit and the burden we place on our children and grandchildren.

"And for what? To fulfill the Democrats wish list. To spend.

"It does not help main street businesses weather this tough economy. It does not provide real tax relief for families in Kansas so that they may keep more of their hard earned dollars to spend how they see fit.

"I cannot support this bill in it’s current form. Congress needs to come together to address the problems in the housing market, and we need to provide real and lasting tax relief to help businesses, not the government, grow and create jobs."

Senator Roberts, a member of the Senate Finance Committee which has jurisdiction of the bill, noted that during the Committee’s consideration of the legislation, every attempt to amend the proposal to provide tax relief and stimulus in the private sector was defeated on a party-line vote. Senator Roberts voted against the legislation in Committee.

The legislation is set to be debated on the Senate floor next week.

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