President Obama & Democratic Congress Commended for Productive Start
Charleston, W.Va. - West Virginia Democratic Party Chair Nick Casey issued the following statement to recognize the Obama Administration's early accomplishments and highlight upcoming efforts by the President and Congressional Democrats to move forward the Administration's agenda on health care reform, a new comprehensive energy policy and education:
"Since his inauguration, President Obama has passed an economic recovery package that gives a tax cut to 95 percent of Americans and will save or create three to four million jobs across the country, including 20,000 right here in West Virginia. He signed a law that makes it illegal for men and women to be paid differently for the same job, which means parents in our state and across the nation will finally receive equal pay for equal work. He passed legislation to enhance the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and expand coverage to an additional four million children, covering 19,400 more West Virginia kids. He also worked with Democrats in Congress to pass a budget blueprint that invests in America's future by making bold investments in healthcare, education and energy - including $3.4 billion for clean coal from the stimulus bill.
"The Obama Administration inherited a terrible mess: a $1.3 trillion deficit, two wars, rising unemployment and an unprecedented fiscal crisis. What President Obama and his team have been able to accomplish since taking office just three months ago is nothing short of remarkable.
"Here in West Virginia the President's economic recovery package is already putting people back to work on important projects that are being completed faster than originally anticipated. For instance, $210 million was allocated for highways, $84 million to weatherize homes, and $9 million for airport upgrades.
"Democrats in West Virginia are proud of President Obama's progress, but our pride is tempered with realism and recognition of how much more needs to be done. Our health care system is bankrupting individuals and businesses alike with skyrocketing costs, too many of our kids aren't getting the education they'll need to be competitive in the global marketplace, our dependence on foreign oil has made us less secure, and too many people are struggling to pay their mortgages and put food on the table.
"If the last three months are any indication, we can anticipate Republicans won't be much help in bringing about the change voters called for so overwhelmingly last November. Not one Republican in Congress supported President Obama's historic budget. Republicans in Congress continue to put partisanship ahead of progress and politics ahead of what's best for our country.
"We look forward to working with President Obama, our state leaders and legislators in Washington to make sure the progress we're recognizing today is a first step - a down payment - on more substantive action to come that will put W.V. and our country back on the road back to long-term economic prosperity."
