An $819 billion economic stimulus package has cleared the U.S. House.
Wisconsin Congressman Ron Kind (D-WI) says the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act approved Wednesday is a bold plan that's necessary to fix the economy. He says the federal government does not have the option of doing nothing, with the economy continuing to deteriorate.
Kind says the package, which will direct over $2 billion towards Wisconsin, will help address several key areas. Those include tax relief, infrastructure investments, and aid for state and local budgets.
The La Crosse Democrat says it also allows for transparency in how the money is spent and includes an end date, so more unfunded obligations and liabilities will not be placed on future generations.
Kind was among the members of Wisconsin's Congressional delegation who voted for the bill. Others include Congressman Dave Obey (D-WI), Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Congressman Steve Kagen (D-WI), and Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-WI).
Those voting against the package were Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI), Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI), and Congressman Tom Petri (R-WI).
The measure now heads to the US Senate.
AUDIO: Andrew Beckett reports (MP3 1:03)
