On the WashingtonWatch.com Blog

Congress is likely to take up an economic stimulus package when it returns for a lame-duck session this week. The American people should get a look at the plan before Congress passes it, says a WashingtonWatch.com blog post titled, “Let’s Get the Actual Terms of the Economic Stimulus Plan.”

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A likely candidate for inclusion in this week’s economic stimulus bill is an extension of unemployment benefits. One of the current bills to extend unemployment benefits is H.R. 6867, the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2008. No cost estimate is available for the bill.

Another candidate for the stimulus package is infrastructure spending. Ideally, it creates jobs over the short run (at the cost of new debt) and enables greater economic productivity over the long run.

Infrastructure spending must be well directed, however. In August 2007, Congress spent $250 million to repair the I-35 bridge in Minneapolis, at a cost of about $130,000 per foot. This is more than three times the cost-per-foot of Alaska’s infamous “Bridge to Nowhere.” Public Law 110-56 spent a little over $2.50 for every family in the United States.

H.R. 6867
The Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2008

P.L. 110-56
To authorize additional funds for emergency repairs and reconstruction of the Interstate I-35 bridge located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, that collapsed on August 1, 2007, to waive the $100,000,000 limitation on emergency relief funds for those emergency repairs and reconstruction, and for other purposes
Costs $2.55 per family

What People Think

The Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2008 44% For, 56% Against Vote on this Bill

P.L. 110-56 37% For, 63% Against Vote on this Bill

Displayed below are new, updated, and passed items with their cost or savings per family.

New Items

S. 3426
The Foreign Service Overseas Pay Equity Act of 2008
Costs $11.03 per family

Updated Items

S. 1193
The Albuquerque Indian School Act
Costs $54.85 per family

Passed Items

none