Senator Russ Feingold justified his voting for the federal stimulus bill during listening sessions in Calumet and Fond du Lac Counties over the weekend. They were the first after Feingold voted in favor of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Friday. President Obama is expected to sign the bill Monday. Feingold says the U.S. economy is in a state of emergency and something had to be done quickly.
The Democratic lawmaker says "we need to get the money out there, we need to get the stimulus out there, we need to get the jobs out there."
The largest bill in U.S. history includes a "Buy American" provision, which Feingold says requires all public building and public works projects funded by the stimulus to use American iron and steel and other American-made goods when possible.
The measure includes $546 million in highway funding to repair and improve Wisconsin's road and bridges, $151 million for the state's weatherization program, $62.7 million for the state energy program, and much more.
Contributed by Bob Nelson-KFIZ
