Loretta Sanchez

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, on December 13, 1 was in Washington D.C. conducting official government business. It was my intention to vote on Rollcall No. 498, H. Res. 314, which would have suspended the rules and allowed suspension bills on Wednesday December 19. However, the electronic voting machine did not properly record my vote. I request that the Congressional Record reflect that had my vote been properly recorded I would have voted ``nay'' on Rollcall No. 498.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, when Congress gave billions of dollars to corporate titans after the events of September 11 and the slowdown in the economy, we promised that we would take care of the workers. Unfortunately, Congress has not kept its promise. During the last 2 months, over 1 million Americans have been added to the unemployment rolls. But this bill provides only modest benefits, maybe, to them. Many of the people I represent are employed in jobs directly related to the tourism industry. These are the jobs that have been hit the hardest, and these are the workers that need the most help. I read yesterday in my local newspaper that analysts are predicting that Disneyland, the largest employer in my district, may not rebound for many years to come. This bill is not what small businesses want or unemployed workers need. They need temporary business and individual cuts targeted at really stimulating this economy. This is about small businesses closing their doors and people being laid off. This is about people saying I cannot afford rent and health care and food. We provided relief for the airlines; we provided relief for the insurance agencies. Let us do this. Let us do it the right way.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, and I rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 279 offered by my colleague, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Schrock). This legislation recognizes and commends members of the Armed Forces who are fighting the war against terrorism and protecting the security of our Nation. The success we have had to date is due to our highly trained and dedicated American forces. Shortly after the tragic and deadly attack against the United States, military units were preparing to protect and defend Americans at home and around the world. For example, on September 11, the USS Enterprise Battle Group was headed back to the United States after a 6-month deployment in the Persian Gulf. Upon learning of the attacks, the battle group returned to the Persian Gulf and remained on station for several additional months to conduct the initial counterterrorism operations. The first wave of air attacks against the Taliban and al Qaeda forces in Afghanistan included planes launched from that carrier group. This war against terrorism has shown what our military services can do by working together to protect our country and its citizens. ``United We Stand'' means as much today at it has ever meant in America's history. We have had men and women in uniform on the front lines in this battle against terrorism since day one. Army and Air Force Special Forces are deployed in Afghanistan to gather intelligence and tactical information. And the Marines have been securing bases and protecting landing strips for follow-on forces in nongovernmental assistance organizations who are trying to help the people of Afghanistan. In the United States, our own National Guard is protecting our airports, our infrastructure, and even our Nation's Capitol. On behalf of the American people, I want to recognize and commend all of our men and women in uniform for their dedication to the principles of democracy. I would like to especially commend the members of the USS Enterprise Battle Group for their tireless efforts in this war on terrorism. Their commitment and their service to our Nation is truly priceless, and I am proud to support this resolution here in the House. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Scott).

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me this time, and I would like to thank both the gentleman from California (Mr. George Miller) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boehner) for the bill we have before us today. I rise in support of H.R. 1, a bill that truly takes a step forward in helping our children get an education in the United States. Under this bill, our Nation's schools will now take steps to narrow the achievement gap between high- and low-income students. For example, in Santa Ana Unified or Anaheim High School District or the Anaheim Elementary School District, these are all some of the poorest school districts in our Nation and certainly some of the most overcrowded in our Nation. Over 50 percent of the students who are taught in these districts go to school in portable classrooms. H.R. 1 will help our Nation take a significant step forward in helping students like those in these school districts that I have the pleasure of representing. This bill increases funding for title I programs, increases funding for bilingual education and authorizes funding for school construction and modernization. It also includes funding for pedestrian and bicycle safety, a great issue of importance in my district. Although Congress still needs to do more to assist schools that teach children with special needs, H.R. 1 is a critical step in ensuring that no child is left behind.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good colleague from Texas for yielding me this time. H.R. 3295 does not provide the comprehensive reform that this Nation's election system needs. While this bill does attempt to establish minimum standards for voting machines, it does not go far enough. The Federal Government should have the ability to take action against States that fail to meet minimum standards and it is not possible under this bill. The bill has no mandatory access to machines for individuals with disabilities. Citizens who have language barriers or physical disabilities should not have added difficulties when they go to vote. Current law requires some jurisdictions with language minority groups to provide bilingual assistance in each step of the voting process. However, this law has been poorly enforced and it certainly is not strengthened by this bill. In addition, this bill does not specifically require assistance for elderly voters or for voters with disabilities. Polling places should allow people to exercise their right to vote, regardless of their disability. Lastly, election reform must also ensure that sample ballots are distributed that educate voters and that poll workers are properly trained to assist the voter. A better informed electorate will be able to make better decisions when voting for their elected officials. Although H.R. 3295 authorizes the use of funds for voter education, it does not require them to be spent for that. There is one thing I know. Democracy is stronger when more Americans vote. H.R. 3295 is well-intentioned, but it is not the solution to our Nation's needs.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to encourage Members to join me in nominating two revered Vietnamese spiritual leaders for the Nobel Peace Prize. Monday was International Human Rights Day. In accepting his Nobel Peace Prize on its 100th anniversary, U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan urged all nations to focus more on human rights in a quest to end poverty, prevent conflicts, and to foster democracy. It is for these reasons that I urge my colleagues to join me in asking the Nobel Peace Prize Selection Committee to nominate the Most Venerable Thich Quang Do and Father Van Ly of Vietnam for the Nobel Peace Prize. The Most Venerable Thich Quang Do is the secretary-general of the banned Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam. Since June 2001, he has been under house arrest for announcing his intention to escort the ailing 83-year-old Buddhist patriarch Thich Huyen Quang to Ho Chi Minh City for urgently needed medical attention. Similarly, earlier this year, Father Ly was placed under house arrest and banned from running his church for providing testimony to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, which urged this Congress to do something about human rights and religious persecution in Vietnam. Mr. Speaker, in recognition of their leadership and sacrifice, I urge my colleagues to join me in signing this letter to the U.N.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I was attending important business in my Congressional District yesterday, December 5th, including participating in the annual Chapman University Economic Forecast for Orange County and meeting with law enforcement personnel on the subject of terrorism preparedness. Had I been present, I would have voted yes on Roll Call #469, yes on Roll Call #470, yes on Roll Call #471, yes on Roll Call #472, yes on Roll Call #473, yes on Roll Call #474, and yes on Roll Call #475.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor a man who has shown people all over the world that ``when you wish upon a star, dreams really can come true.'' One hundred years ago yesterday, on December 5, 1901, Walt Elias Disney was born in Chicago, Illinois. One hundred years later his legacy lives in the hearts and in the minds of children of all ages. Walt has impacted people from all over the world through his films, his theme parks and his incredible imagination. Growing up in Anaheim, California, I was fortunate to have Disneyland in my own backyard. Now, as the Congresswoman from the Forty-sixth Congressional District, I get to represent Disneyland to the rest of the world. I can still remember my first visit to Disneyland. One of my fondest memories was riding in the ``It's a Small World'' ride, a bunch of little dolls dancing around, singing in different languages, getting along together in perfect harmony. What a way to view the world, and what a way to teach a child about what the world is that we aspire to. Imagine, people in the world sharing this laughter, their tears, their hopes, their fears. Walt envisioned a world where happiness transcended borders, a world where hate was nonexistent, and where joy and laughter cured all things. After September 11, America has lost its innocence. And, unfortunately, the terrorist attacks have had a terrible toll on America's psyche and tourism in general. However, in this time of hardship, the hopes and the dreams of Americans are stronger than ever, and, thanks to Walt, Americans will always believe that ``anything their hearts desire will come to them.''

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor an outstanding citizen of Orange County, Mr. Frederick P. Aguirre who has recently been honored by Orange County's United Way for his outstanding service in education to the Latino community. Mr. Aguirre has a strong sense of civic duty and is dedicated to the Latino community, to our country's veterans, and to education. A graduate of UCLA Law School, he is a co-founder of the Hispanic Bar Association of Orange County. Currently, he serves on the Hispanic Advisory Committee of the Orange County District Attorney's office. His support for education spans across all levels. He was a mentor through the ``Stay in School Program'' that provides tutoring to at- risk students in the Santa Ana Unified School District. He has been a speaker at elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, and at several colleges. He re-established the Placentia chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), a group that provides scholarships for Hispanic youth and encourages civic participation through citizenship classes and voting. In 1994, he became a member of the Corporate Development committee of the Hispanic Education Endowment Fund. In addition, he organized and re-incorporated Latino Advocates for Education, Inc. a nonprofit organization that promotes educational excellence among our Latino students and increases quality instruction and administration in schools. His exemplary achievements in the community are also noteworthy. As a member of the Board of Directors of the Alzheimer's Association of Orange County, he founded the Multi Ethnic Community Advisory Board. He was also a member and Chairman of the Board of the Community Advisory Board of Placentia Linda Hospital. In 1994, he organized a program offering free legal services at the Cathy Torrez Learning Center in Placentia. In addition, he has been active in recognizing U.S. veterans. Since 1998, he has organized a Veteran's Day conference at Santa Ana College in Santa Ana, CA. These events have grown in scope each year. The most recent, the 5th Annual Veteran's Day Celebration and Scholarship Program, honored over 100 living Mexican-American World War II veterans and their families. Over 3,000 people attended, including Governor Gray Davis. I am proud to recognize Mr. Frederick P. Aguirre for his outstanding service to the Orange County community, to education and to the Latino community. His efforts have truly touched people's lives and have had a positive impact on our community.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, since November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, I would like to take this opportunity to encourage people to be screened for this disease and to learn more about the prevention and the treatment of this disease. Approximately 16 million people in the United States have diabetes, although about 5 million of those people do not even know they have it. Sadly, this is a disease that disproportionately affects minority groups and individuals who are 65 years or older. African Americans are 1.7 times more often having diabetes than Caucasians. And Hispanics are almost twice as likely to have diabetes than non-Hispanic whites; 6.3 million people with diabetes are 65 years of age or older. According to the American Diabetes Association, total health care costs incurred by people with diabetes for the year 1997 was $98 billion. At present there is no method to prevent or cure diabetes, but there are several things that we can do as legislators and individuals. We can promote research that includes minority populations and people over 65 years of age. These groups are rapidly-growing segments of our population, and we should do this research.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the students and faculty at Disney Elementary in Magnolia School District, Anaheim, California, for their contributions of $2,700 to the relief fund for the September 11th tragedy in New York City. These young students raised the money on their own, and when asked what they wanted to do with it, said ``We want to donate the money to the victims' families, firefighters, policemen, and all those people affected.'' It is incredibly sad that our children would have to experience such a horrible event in their lifetime, but their compassion clearly shows, even at such an early age. I am so proud of all the students and faculty at Disney Elementary! Keep up the good work! Through your eyes, we see the shining hope for the future.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, under my reservation, I yield to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Forbes).

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, under my reservation, I rise to support House Resolution 284. This resolution encourages Americans to support the Armed Forces and civilian personnel who are engaged in the war on terrorism as a part of a united effort to be known as Operation Enduring Freedom. There are over 2.6 million active duty, Reserve, and National Guard personnel. Since September 14, nearly 42,000 Reservists and National Guard have been called to active duty to support Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Noble Eagle. In addition, thousands of civilians, including those from the Department of Defense, Department of Justice, Department of State, the FBI and CIA, just to name a few, have dedicated themselves to protecting our national security interests. Air Force pilots are patrolling our skies. Coast Guard ships are patrolling our shores, and members of the National Guard are securing our airports. State Department employees across the world are working with our allies, and the FBI and CIA are working to track down and prosecute those associated with the terrorist attacks against our United States. FDA employees are working with health providers to increase education and awareness of biological and chemical threats to our citizens, and the list goes on and on. Since the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the American people have been asking, what can they do? How can they help? The bill before us encourages the American people to support the Armed Forces and the civilians participating in the war on terrorism by contributing assistance to voluntary and to charitable organizations. It also provides support and comfort to the family members of our men and women in uniform who are now, or will be, overseas during this time. The attacks of September 11 did not rip apart the multicolored fabric of the United States. Instead, they have made us closer, stronger, and united in our determination to stand against aggression and protect the democratic principles and the freedoms that we enjoy in the United States. Mr. Speaker, continuing my reservation, I yield to the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Otter) for his remarks.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, I rise in support of House Resolution 287 offered by my colleague, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Forbes). House Resolution 287 honors the National Guard and Reserve units that have been called to service in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Noble Eagle. On September 11 Americans were shocked and saddened to learn of the deadly terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City and on the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. The heroic efforts of those aboard a fourth commercial airliner foiled the terrorist attempts to potentially destroy another target in the Nation's capital. Shock and outrage were quickly replaced with determination, and the President declared a national emergency; and on September 14, he announced the partial mobilization of nearly 50,000 National Guard and Reservists to assist in national security efforts. Five days later, units across the country received notice that they were being called to duty. Today, over 42,000 Reservists and members of the National Guard are on call. They represent all 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam. Many have been protecting our Nation's airports. Others have brought their expertise in medical supply intelligence and other important disciplines as part of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Noble Eagle. Over 1.2 million citizen soldiers have committed their lives in defense to our Nation. These dedicated individuals are our neighbors, our friends, and our relatives. In California, teachers, police officers, business men and women and individuals from all walks of life have put on their uniforms to defend this Nation. Next week, while we are with our families and friends giving thanks for the founding of this great Nation, Armed Forces personnel will be protecting all of these freedoms that we enjoy. They will be separated from their families and loved ones, some may be patrolling the skies above us, some guarding our Nation's airports and seaports, some may be overseas, but they will all be doing what they do best. They will be defending the principles of this Nation, protecting us all from harm. We owe our Nation's armed forces a debt of gratitude. Let us give thanks for those who volunteer to serve our country in uniform. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Virginia for the purpose of explaining the bill.

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, continuing my reservation, I yield to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Kennedy).

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, many Americans have little knowledge about investing their own money. Mutual funds, stocks and bonds are very complicated instruments to which people pay little attention, especially when they have got other things to do all day long. I know firsthand how complex these instruments can be because of my professional experience as an investment advisor. In concept, the Retirement Security Advice Act is a great idea. We must find ways to ensure that all Americans participating in retirement savings plans are making decisions that will help them in the long run. All Americans should have access to licensed investment professionals who can advise them on what they should be investing in, how risky their portfolio should be and when to change plans. There is a major weakness in the current version of the bill, however. The bill allows registered, licensed banks or similar financial institutions to provide financial investment advice. The problem is that the language is not strong enough. It allows bank tellers or any unrelated subsidiary of these financial institutions to provide this advice. Would you want investment advice from a bank teller? How about from a member of the cleanup crew at an investment banking firm? These examples may be extreme, but they are possible under the current language in this bill. I want to make sure that all Americans are provided with the best opportunity to invest their retirement savings. Think of the time period we just went through right now. I have a father-in-law who is a banker, and he has plenty of people who would call him and say, ``I just went to a cocktail party, and why am I not getting 38 percent return this year?'' And no matter how much he tried to talk them through about their plan and their situation, they would basically say, ``I am taking my funds to somebody else who will put me in these types of investments.'' Now, my father-in-law has licenses. He has been in the investment banking world a long time. He has character, he has integrity. He also makes his living with that license. He protects it. And he would say, ``Well, if that is what you have to do, that is what you are going to do, but I will not put you in those types of investments.'' Imagine if you have someone who has no license and the pressure comes on. What do you do then? Well, you end up being in things you really should not be in. Sometimes we forget about the people that we are really working to assist here. This bill is targeted at those who could not otherwise afford investment advice. They are working-class Americans who teach our children, build our infrastructure and make this country strong. You probably would not take gourmet cooking advice from the fry cook at McDonald's, so why should people take investment advice from those who may not be qualified to give it? Let us do the right thing for all Americans. Let us make sure that this advice is given by licensed individuals. There are plenty of different types of licenses. We do not have to start a new regulatory situation here.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, in anticipation of Veterans Day, I rise to thank the millions of men and women who have served in the United States military for their contributions to our Nation. Many of our veterans first came to this country as immigrants in search of freedom and the opportunity to live in a country with liberty and justice. And they have demonstrated their belief in the principles of our great country with their willingness to put their lives on the line to defend the Nation which has given them so many new opportunities. For example, after becoming American citizens in 1917, over 18,000 Puerto Rican citizens served America proudly in World War I. And during World War II, more than 300,000 Mexican-Americans served in the United States Armed Forces. Guy ``Gabby'' Gabaldon holds the distinction of capturing more enemy soldiers than anyone else in the history of United States military conflicts. Over 81,400 Asian-Pacific Islanders served during the Vietnam War. These are but a few examples. On Veterans Day, we all need to remember the sacrifices that veterans have made to protect our great Nation.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I would like to speak today about something that is very important to our country, adult immunization. Immunizations have helped prevent many illnesses and possible complications due to illness. Unfortunately, there is a misconception that immunization is only for children and for childhood diseases. The fact is that adults benefit from immunizations also. Hepatitis B, chicken pox, pneumonia are just a few examples of vaccine preventable illnesses affecting adults. Data for the year 2000 show an increase in the number of deaths due to influenza and pneumonia, now over 67,000 deaths. This is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. Although the flu vaccine may not prevent the flu, it greatly reduces the severity of the illness and the risk of complications, especially in adults over 50 years of age and those who suffer chronic health conditions. Immunization is a cost-effective way of preventing disease and at a time when our Nation is faced with the possibility of unlikely yet very threatening infections, we must take the opportunity to be proactive against illnesses that we can prevent.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about domestic violence. I was pleased that President Bush proclaimed this month of October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. However, people should be aware of domestic violence every day. Domestic violence is an offense against our institutional values. One incident of domestic violence is one incident too much. Throughout my tenure in Congress, I have been a strong supporter of domestic violence awareness. In 1999 I was proud to include in the fiscal year 2000 defense authorization language the Defense Task Force on Domestic Violence. The task force was established to review and evaluate current programs and policies associated with domestic violence in the Department of Defense. It reinforces the importance of preventing domestic violence because deterrence is key. However, when violence does occur, we must protect the victims while holding the offenders accountable. I am confident that the task force will provide the Secretary of Defense with a comprehensive report and a plan that augments our current efforts to eliminate domestic violence within the military. Furthermore, the task force findings will help in our national efforts to address domestic violence in our own communities.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about the so-called economic stimulus package, a bill that truly marks the return of partisanship to our Chamber. Congress should be helping workers in need due to the aftermath of the terrorist attacks. These workers are my constituents, the hardworking men and women who make their living off the tourism industry which provides so much to our district. Our workers want Congress to strengthen homeland security, to put money in the pockets of unemployed workers, and to ensure our long-term economic confidence. That is exactly what the Blue Dog plan would do. Our plan deals with immediate economic concerns without damaging the Nation's fiscal health or long-term economic recovery. It would ensure resources for vital security needs, provide critical relief for laid- off workers, and maintain the fiscal discipline needed to restore long- term economic confidence and keep interest rates low. The Republicans are putting special interest tax cuts ahead of the workers of America.

Ms. SANCHEZ

Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to talk about the state of the economy. The events of September 11 have had a terrible impact on our economy and one of the hardest hit areas has been the tourism industry. Travel and tourism are at the heart of America. They help fuel the engines of growth in both small and large cities throughout our Nation. And few cities in America rely as much as the City of Anaheim, California, which I am proud to represent. Anaheim is home to Disneyland, a tourist attraction like no other. It is the happiest place on Earth. And it is the West Coast's biggest convention area, the Anaheim Convention Center. Last week, I was shocked to hear that Standard & Poor's had put the City of Anaheim on a credit watch because of concerns of a downturn in tourism. They indicated three areas in the United States where tourism may not come back, and one of them was Anaheim. Anaheim is especially vulnerable because its budget, its city budget, is heavily dependent on tourist spending. Over 54 percent of Anaheim's general fund revenues come from sales and bed taxes. A downgrade in their bond rating would make it more difficult to sell city bonds for projects. It would also lead to higher financing costs. The last time that this city, my hometown, the City of Anaheim, was placed on credit watch was in 1994 during the bankruptcy of the County of Orange. Thousands of jobs are on the line in my district, jobs at gas stations, at restaurants, at rental car dealerships and at hotels. Taxicab drivers are having a very difficult time trying to make ends meet. Jobs are in jeopardy at many airline subcontractors in my district who make the flight control actuators and the nose wheel steering systems for commercial aircraft. This is only a partial list of the businesses that are beginning to fail in the area of Anaheim and central Orange County. Approximately 15 percent of the private workforce in Anaheim relies on tourism. That is higher than over half of the largest areas where tourism is a dependent industry for cities. Half of the city's top 10 employers are based in the tourism industry. Last month, Congress helped the airlines with the airline bailout bill. That was for the airlines. However, we left the workers behind. They received nothing, the workers who are or, in so many cases, were the heart and the soul of the airline and tourism industry. That is why I am a proud cosponsor of H.R. 2955, which would provide financial assistance, training and health care coverage to employees of the airline and related industries who lost their jobs as a result of the September 11 tragedies. What type of economic stimulus package can best help the tourism industry and the people I represent, many of America's workers? As Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan warned, it is better to be right than to be quick. Yes, we need to get this right, but what we must do is be honest with each other. The American public must acknowledge that any economic stimulus package will likely push the Federal budget into deficit. We spent $40 billion the Friday after September 11. We spent $15 billion the next week on the airlines. Now we are talking about a stimulus package over $100 billion. We need to understand that this money that we are spending, plus the regular spending that we are doing for the coming year, will put us into deficit. We need to work in a bipartisan fashion to develop a responsible stimulus package that boosts the economy in the short term, yet lays the groundwork for long-term prosperity. An effective stimulus package will help the economy get back on its feet by putting money in the hands of those who will spend it. Last week I was disappointed to hear President Bush describe a stimulus plan that I think is built on ill-advised tax cuts, some of those tax cuts that he did not get done in the first package that he passed through the Congress. The effect of the President's plan would be less to stimulate the economy than to lock in long-term tax cuts. Given that so much of the imaginary surplus that was meant to finance the tax cuts has disappeared, this plan is ill-advised. All items in an economic stimulus package should be temporary, not permanent. We need to provide immediate stimulus without doing harm to the long-term budget outlook. I support a short-term package that boosts consumer confidence, encourages investment and maintains fiscal discipline which will help keep our long-term interest rates in check. I hope that that is what Congress decides to help the people with.