Obama Says Bipartisan Board To Monitor Stimulus Spending
By: Import User
Updated: February 9, 2009
(Elkhart, IN) -- A group of Republicans and Democrats will be charged with monitoring spending under President Obama's economic stimulus plan.
Obama told a crowd at a town hall meeting in Elkhart, Indiana, that the independent bipartisan board will help see that money is not wasted.
He also told those at the rally that a new website will be available so that citizens can see and track the economic stimulus funds as they are given out.
President Obama is courting support in the nation's heartland for his massive economic program.
As he detailed his plan, he told the audience that delaying action will surely bring disaster, even if each element of the proposal doesn't completely fulfill its objective.
He promised his economic stimulus program will rebuild infrastructure, create jobs, give immediate tax relief to at least 95 percent of taxpayers and provide extended benefits to unemployed workers.
The town hall meeting is the first in a series of events designed to generate enthusiasm for his massive economic stimulus plan.
Elkhart has been brutalized by deep job losses.
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs says unemployment in the town known as the "RV Capital of the World" has jumped to over 15 percent from under five percent in the past year.
President Obama is also looking beyond his massive economic stimulus plan to talk about helping struggling homeowners.
He told those at the Elkhart town hall meeting that he will support a measure separate from the stimulus plan to give bankruptcy judges more leeway to modify mortgages.
As he courted support for his economic plan, Obama told the crowd the proposal he supports would allow bankruptcy judges to change the terms of mortgages on first home mortgages to help homeowners who file for bankruptcy.
Obama will return to the White House today in time for his first prime-time news conference tonight.
The President is back on the road Tuesday with a trip to Fort Myers, Florida.
Senators are debating Obama's economic stimulus plan this week.
(Copyright 2009 by Newsroom Solutions)
