Projo Biz Blog

Rhode Island's four members of Congress all support a further boost to the U.S. economy in the coming months, they told a business gathering this morning in Warwick.

Calling the rebate checks federal taxpayers will receive in the coming months a "positive," U.S. Sen. Jack Reed said, "I don't think it will be sufficient by itself to turn around the economy. We have to really consider stabilizing home prices."

Reed and the other three members of the state's Congressional delegation, Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Rep. Patrick Kennedy and Rep. James Langevin, appeared together at the Crowne Plaza Hotel at the Crossings for an annual breakfast hosted by the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce.

The four took turns answering questions posed by a moderator on a range of topics. In addition to the mortgage crisis and subsequent credit issues, other questions touched on: universal health care, student loan programs, funding for Amtrak and the transportation infrastructure, homeland defense and cybersecurity and the environment.

The congressmen, all Democrats, said they tried to hold down expectations for significant progress on any of these topics in the run-up to the November presidential elections.

With the Bush administration at its "bitter end," Whitehouse said, it may be best to "wait them out" and work instead with a future president.

"This year, we'll probably spare ourselves this foolish exercise" of passing legislation that President Bush, a Republican, is sure to veto, Whitehouse said.

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