September 10, 1976
Page 29691
Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President: The Senate is considering H.R. 15194, the public works employment appropriations bill. If this bill is enacted, it will provide full funding for the Public Works Employment Act of 1976.
The Senate has time and again reviewed the need for the job stimulus programs which this bill would provide. In recent months, we have so often voted in favor of its purpose and provisions that I hesitate to comment on its substance at any length.
I do want to point out, however, that in spite of protestations that the economy is fast on the way to recovery, the need remains great for this bill and for the 300 thousand jobs it will create.
In my own State of Maine, for example, unemployment in July rose more than a full percentage point over the June rate, to a rate of 8.9 percent. July unemployment rose nationally as well, although not as dramatically.
In Detroit, we are seeing a chilling example of what happens when a city is forced by an unprecedented budget crisis to reduce its law enforcement effort below the level at which public safety can be maintained.
Clearly, Mr. President, if the economy is finally improving in some parts of the country, the recovery still needs a push in others.
A principal purpose of this legislation it to provide a quick stimulus to the construction industry, and to individual State and local governments where the painful impact of the recession lingers on.
So I want to commend the distinguished chairmen of the two subcommittees involved, Senator PASTORE and Senator PROXMIRE, and the distinguished chairman of the committee, Senator McCLELLAN, for their dedicated effort in bringing this bill so quickly to the floor. The programs funded by this bill represent a major congressional priority. Full funding of this appropriation bill was assumed in the second budget resolution which the Senate yesterday passed overwhelmingly.
Certainly, this bill reflects the high priority Congress has placed on reducing the Nation's unacceptably high unemployment rate, and it should be passed. I am confident that the Senate can achieve the goals of the second budget resolution which included this important initiative.