WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) delivered the following statement regarding the two year anniversary of President Obama’s failed “stimulus”:

“Instead of creating new jobs with ‘shovel ready projects,’ President Obama’s failed ‘stimulus’ shoveled billions of dollars of more debt on the backs of hard working Americans.  On Monday, the President had an opportunity to introduce a serious budget that makes Washington more effective and efficient.  Unfortunately, he doubled down on more unnecessary spending that will waste billions of taxpayer dollars on projects that haven’t been able to create jobs from ‘stimulus’ funding two years ago. One of his signature initiatives, a high speed rail proposal is an example of spending that will continue to fiscally derail America.  Washington needs to cut wasteful spending and red tape to make it easier for the private sector to create jobs and grow our economy.”

A Two Year Review of Rhetoric Versus Reality:

February 17, 2009 –   President Obama: “Because of this investment, nearly 400,000 men and
women will go to work rebuilding our crumbling roads and bridges, repairing our faulty dams and levees, bringing critical broadband connections to businesses and homes in nearly every community in America, upgrading mass transit, building high-speed rail lines that will improve travel and commerce throughout our nation.”

October 12, 2010 –     President Obama: “There’s no such thing as shovel-ready projects” (Peter Baker, “Education of a President,” New York Times)

October 13, 2010 –     “Many of these projects…have become bogged down by strict reporting requirements and other federal red tape.” (Scott Wong, “Obama Admission Inspires GOP,” POLITICO)

February 14, 2010 –  “The Administration’s reauthorization provides $53 billion over six years to continue construction of a national high speed and intercity passenger rail network…” (The White House, “Win the Future With a 21st Century Infrastructure”)

February 17, 2011 –   Less than 2 percent of Stimulus funds for High Speed Rail Corridors has been paid out.  (Agency Financial and Activity Reports, Department of Transportation, Recovery.gov)

                                    Less than 6 percent of Stimulus funds for Broadband Technology has been paid out..  (Agency Financial and Activity Reports, Department of Transportation, Recovery.gov)

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