Response to "Pork"

Back on October 14Th I wrote my senators and congressman and asked them about the "pork" that had been included in the bailout bill. Below are the responses from Senator Barbara Mikulski and Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger. After you read them, please let me where the "pork" went because I can not tell.


Once again our elected officials are avoiding answering any questions that may present them in a bad light.


Out with incumbents!!


Its Common Sense.





Dear Mr. Wolfe:

Thank you for getting in touch with me about the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act (P.L. 110-343). It's good to hear from you.

I know that taxpayers are mad as hell, and so am I. They've watched Wall Street executives pay themselves lavish salaries. They've watched irresponsible lending practices. They've watched Wall Street gamble on risky investment mechanisms. Now those very same Americans who've worked hard and played by the rules are being asked to pay the bill for those who didn't.

Time and time again we have seen the consequences of loose regulations and wimpy enforcement. Time and time again I voted for more teeth and better regulation. I voted to get the lead paint out of toys and the lead out of the bureaucracy at the Consumer Product Safety Commission. I voted to strengthen Federal Drug and Administration (FDA) to make sure it didn't approve dangerous drugs. I also worked to stop predatory lending and flipping in the mortgage market.

I remember back in 1999 when this banking mess got started. I was one of the nine Senators who voted against the bill that got rid of the division between investment banks and commercial banks. It lowered the bar on regulation and allowed for casino economics.

Now, we are facing a credit crisis that affects everyone - from people getting loans for college, to the small business owner who depends on credit to buy inventory. If we do not deal with this credit crisis, I believe that the Main Street economy will have to pay the bill for the bailout and pay the bill again in lost jobs, and in shrinking retirement and pensions.

Regrettably, this rescue is necessary to restore confidence and stability in our economy. The final version that passed is vastly improved from the three page bill that President Bush and Secretary Paulson originally sent to Congress. It protects tax payers, provides oversight and transparency, and rejects using tax payer dollars to finance golden parachutes for Wall Street CEOs. That's why I voted for it. This legislation was necessary to protect our economy, our middle class, and our way of life. But I heard the taxpayers loud and clear. Much more needs to be done to provide for rigorous reform and retribution against those who broke the law.

The Emergency Economic Stabilization Act was passed by both the House and Senate, and was recently signed into law by the President. Knowing of your views was very helpful to me, and I will keep them in mind. If you'd like to read more, I encourage you to visit the "News Room" page of my website at http://mikulski.senate.gov/Newsroom/PressReleases/index.cfm where you can read the transcripts of my three floor statements on this issue.

Again, thanks for contacting me. Please let me know if I can be of help to you in the future.Sincerely, Barbara A. MikulskiUnited States Senator


P.S. If I can be of further assistance in the future,please visit my website at http://mikulski.senate.gov/or call my Washington D.C. office at 202-224-4654








Dear Mr. Wolfe:

Knowing of your interest in the work of Congress, I would like to take this opportunity to provide a brief update on steps Congress may take in the next few weeks to further address the economic crisis.



Last week, the House Leadership announced a series of hearings to be held over the next two weeks to assess what additional action is needed to stimulate the U.S. economy and help prevent a worsening crisis. Following up on the first "stimulus package" that was passed with large bipartisan majorities this past spring, the Leadership also announced that the House may consider a second stimulus package to help get the economy growing again.



Specifics of a possible second stimulus package await the findings of these new hearings. However, the broad outlines of the approach have just been publicly announced. Instead of rebate checks to taxpayers, the second stimulus package is intended to focus on jobs, health care, and helping state governments with their fiscal problems. With unemployment at a five year high, we must do more to create jobs and help families suffering from unemployment and layoffs. Congress is considering a total of $150 billion of investments in infrastructure improvements to roads, transit systems, bridges, and water systems. This would be an important boost to communities across the country by creating jobs while repairing and improving long-neglected infrastructure projects.



When I was Baltimore County Executive, investing in infrastructure was the best way to prepare for future economic growth while creating jobs in the present. The package may also include an extension of unemployment benefits and aid to states to help with rising Medicaid and health care costs.



I welcome your views on what else Congress can do to get our economy back on track and help working families make ends meet during these tough times. At this writing, the House may come back into session in mid-November to consider a package of economic measures. I will continue to keep you apprised of developments.



Thank you for your interest in the work of Congress, and please feel free to keep in touch.



Sincerely,C.A. Dutch RuppersbergerMember of Congress