Obama Visits Plant Where Stimulus Saved Jobs

President Barack Obama told manufacturers in Wisconsin on Monday that his Recovery Act helped save some of their jobs, and will allow their company to expand in the months to come.

At ZBB Energy Corporation in Menomonee Falls, the President reiterated his commitment to lift the nation’s manufacturing industry out of the doldrums ushered in by the recession.

“Few parts of the economy were hit harder than manufacturing,” said Obama. “But what’s clear is that we are heading in the right direction.”

Indeed, unlike most of the private sector, manufacturing has slowly rebounded over the past eight months. 36,000 manufacturing jobs were added to the economy last month, bringing the total number of jobs added to 183,000 since last December.

The President’s trip to Wisconsin today, along with stops later on this week in Ohio, Washington and California, highlight his administration’s attempt to showcase the effect the stimulus package has had on the economy. It also coincides with Democrats’ efforts to promote their “Make it in America” strategy during the congressional recess.

ZBB, which produces advanced batteries for the purpose of renewable energy storage, plans to use $1.3 million worth of stimulus funds to add 80 new jobs in the state of Wisconsin.

“When new technologies are developed with the potential to unleash new businesses, and even whole new industries, I want those products to be made in America,” said Obama. “That’s how we’ll create jobs. That’s how we’ll strengthen this economy.”

McCain and Feingold tackle pork reform

By Michael Ruhl, University of New Mexico - Talk Radio News Service

Today Senator John McCain (R-Ariz), Senator Russ Feingold (D-Wis) and Representative Paul Ryan (R-Wis) spoke of their plans to reintroduce their version of the line item veto bill. Feingold said that the bill would allow the President to mark certain earmarks for reconsideration, have it sent back to Congress, and have each marked spending allocation voted on individually. If either chamber votes against rescinding the money by a simple majority vote, then the project would be funded.

The Supreme Court had previously struck down as unconstitutional McCain’s previous attempt to introduce a line item veto. McCain said that he wants to “get around” that decision by the Court through a new legislative effort, which McCain said would be fully constitutional.

All three members of Congress felt that this would be an important step towards reforming wasteful pork. Ryan said that this would bring accountability and common sense to the earmark process. McCain said that he anticipates it being difficult to pass, but Feingold said that this bill is important, because earmark money is “real money” that comes out of taxpayers pockets. Ryan went on to say that this is not a Republican or Democratic issue, but a “good government issue”.