For Immediate Release: Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Contact: Oversight and Government Reform Press Office, (202) 225-5051

Chairman Towns Announces Stimulus Oversight Plan

Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Edolphus “Ed” Towns, Chairman of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, today announced the Committee’s plans to provide constructive oversight of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Chairman Towns plans to hold hearings in several Congressional districts and Washington, DC, throughout the year. The events will provide a direct examination of the $787 billion taxpayer dollars currently being allocated through the stimulus plan. In addition, Chairman Towns will to travel to many districts across the country with his colleagues visiting job sites, state and local elected officials, and watchdogs to ensure that federal dollars are being spent effectively and efficiently.

“I want to hear from people on the front lines – our state and local officials and our community leaders – about the effectiveness of this stimulus package,” said Chairman Towns. “Given the current state of our economy, we must do everything possible to ensure that critical stimulus dollars are providing jobs in our communities and laying the groundwork to transform our economy – not falling into the hands of bad actors.”

Chairman Towns has vowed to keep a close eye on the implementation of economic stimulus plan. Along with launching this nationwide stimulus oversight plan, Chairman Towns helped draft strict accountability and oversight language included in the stimulus package. The language guarantees the Committee’s ability to conduct oversight on how funds are being spent by all levels of government.

“Conducting vigorous, nationwide oversight of the stimulus will provide this Committee with opportunities to identify problems as they arise and ensure that small challenges are exposed before they become national catastrophes,” said Chairman Towns. “We have a responsibility to the American people to do everything possible to avoid any waste, fraud, and mismanagement of taxpayer dollars.”

The first field hearing will take place in Brooklyn, NY, on Monday, April 20, 2009. Another hearing is planned for early June in California, with more hearings to be added later in the year.

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