Washington, Dec 16, 2009 - Washington, DC – Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Republican Leader John L. Mica (R-FL) released the following statement on today’s House Democrat Leadership stimulus bill:
       
        “This is Son of Stimulus and the same old, same old.
       
        “Just as in Stimulus I, liberals have hijacked Son of Stimulus with more spending programs that will further expand the nation’s debt in the name of creating jobs and building infrastructure.
       
        “The first problem is that this bill steals TARP funds from taxpayers who were promised that bank repayments would be returned to the Treasury to help pay down the national debt.
       
        “This is like stealing from the piggy bank and making up excuses for the theft.
       
        “The second flaw with this bill is that it fails to recognize that only 14% of the DOT money under Stimulus I has actually been spent to date. Unless we truly cut the federal red tape and bureaucracy, our Democrat led Congress will continue to fail to get people working and move transportation projects forward.”