Second Stimulus Anniversary Reminds Voters That Democrat Has Failed To Create Jobs While Driving National Debt Past $14 Trillion

WASHINGTON – Two years after President Barack Obama signed the Democrats’ $787 billion stimulus debacle into law, voters are reminded that liberal U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) has failed to create the jobs he promised. 

The Obama White House projected that their massive stimulus spending would cap national unemployment at 8 percent, and Nelson promised Floridians that the bill would “create or save 206,000 jobs” in their state and help get our economy back on track. But today, Florida’s unemployment rate has risen to a painful 12 percent, three points above the national average.

Despite the fact that his failed stimulus has helped drive our national debt over $14 trillion, Nelson refuses to change his support for reckless spending. The new Obama budget proposal that Nelson has praised would add an additional $7.2 trillion to the debt over the next ten years. 

“In the two years since Bill Nelson rubberstamped President Obama’s $787 billion stimulus and promised it would create jobs, Florida’s unemployment rate has skyrocketed to 12 percent, far above the national average,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) spokesman Chris Bond. “But not only does Nelson refuse to admit the failure of his massive stimulus spending, he continues to demand even more reckless spending with his support for the Obama budget that would add an additional $7.2 trillion to our debt over ten years. Whether it’s his broken promises on jobs or his refusal to take our spending and debt crisis seriously, Senator Nelson is clearly failing to represent the best interests of Florida.”

Meanwhile, the NRSC launched a new web video today entitled “Happy Anniversary, Stimulus,” to remind voters nationwide of the failure of the Democrats’ $787 billion stimulus debacle.

CLICK HERE To View The NRSC’s New Web Video

Background Information:

Nelson: “I Helped Draft The American Recovery And Reinvestment Act Of 2009.” (Senator Bill Nelson Website, “Floridians’ Top Concerns: Retirement, Health Care, Jobs,” www.billnelson.senate.gov, Accessed 12/13/10)

BILL NELSON: “This Is Stimulus. This Is Providing Jobs. This Is Helping People In Need. This Is The Right Thing To Do For Florida.” (Sen. Bill Nelson, Congressional Record, 2/13/09, p. S2281) 

“Nelson Acknowledged The Stimulus Package Wasn’t Perfect But Said ‘The Government Has To Do Something To Get Us Out Of This Economic Tailspin, And Doing Nothing Wasn’t An Option.’” (Eun Kyung Kim, “Obama Lobbies For Stimulus Bill In Fla. As Senators Split Votes,” Gannett News Service, 2/12/09) 

BILL NELSON: “Specifically, In Florida, This Bill Is Going To Create Or Save 206,000 Jobs. Nationwide It Is Going To Be Somewhere Between 3 Million And 4 Million Jobs It Is Going To Create Or Save.” (Sen. Bill Nelson, Congressional Record, 2/13/09, p. S2281)

Nelson Predicted The Jobs Would Be Restored Within A Year And A Half. “He said the package is expected to restore 206,000 of the 255,000 jobs lost in Florida so far in the economic crisis, within one-and-a-half years.” (Deborah Buckhalter, “Sen. Nelson Speaks To Stimulus,” Jackson County Floridan, 2/19/09)

Florida’s Unemployment Rate Has Risen Since The Stimulus Passed

Florida’s Unemployment Rate Was 9.2% When The Stimulus Passed In February 2009. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics Website, www.data.bls.gov, Accessed 12/7/10)

In December 2010, Florida’s Unemployment Rate Was 12.0%. (Bureau Of Labor Statistics Website, www.data.bls.gov, Accessed 2/10/11)