Corker: Economic stimulus package is purely political

U.S. Sen. Bob Corker went to the Senate floor today to criticize a $146 billion economic stimulus package, saying it is nothing but a “political stimulus” that will add to the nation’s deficit.

“It’s a stimulus to make the American people think that we, as a body, are doing something to actually cause the economy to be stronger,” Corker (R-Tenn.) said.

The House passed the stimulus package Tuesday overwhelmingly. The package passed by the House would give tax rebates of up to $600 for individuals and $1,200 for married couples, plus $300 per child.

U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper (D-Nashville) was one of the 35 who opposed the measure, echoing some of the same concerns Corker voiced about not paying for the package and having to borrow more money from nations like China.

In his remarks, Corker said he was in favor of Americans getting money back from the federal government but that generations to come would be paying for the nearly $150 billion package.

“I must say that I find it so odd that today in America we would consider a stimulus package, a package that in essence is built on sprinkling money around America … and then encouraging people to quickly spend that money to create an economic stimulus in this country,” Corker said in his remarks.

Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), the chairman of the Senate Republican Conference, differs with Corker and is in favor of the stimulus package.

“The president acknowledged that as strong as our economy is, 52 quarters of growing jobs, it's taken a downward turn. We need to take appropriate action to help it continue to produce more jobs,” Alexander said in a statement. “This economic growth plan is a good example of bipartisan leaders working together, and as one senator, my recommendation is that we support what the president and the House of Representatives have done.”