The No Cost Stimulus Act

Congressman Randy Forbes supports domestic energy production. Don't you wish the Obama Administration did?

One year ago, Congressional leadership and a new President rushed to approve the stimulus bill, which cost the nation $787 billion, money that our nation is borrowing on the backs of future generations. In one year, thetotal price tag has already risen by $75 billion to a new estimate of $862 billion. Sadly, national unemployment has risen from 8.2% in February 2009 to 10.0% in December 2009 - not fallen as supporters of the stimulus had hoped.

I am one of only 17 Members of Congress to vote against each stimulus plan under both the Bush and the Obama Administrations. Instead of borrowing hundreds of billions of dollars for negligible effects, I believe we have opportunities to generate real economic stimulation for a fraction of the price. One such example is the No Cost Stimulus Act, which I’ve just signed on to as a supporter (H.R. 1431). This legislation would cut through the bureaucratic red tape that is preventing domestic energy production. Specifically, the bill would approve a final plan for offshore drilling, allow the leasing of certain federal land for energy production, and expedite the process for approval of new nuclear power plants. Each of these things would create real jobs and real growth and do it at a cost of next to nothing.

I’d like your thoughts on this bill. Email me here.

Yours in service,

Randy Forbes

Member of Congress

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