Labor, construction, transportation and government leaders urged a House committee to include public works spending in a possible new economic-stimulus measure.
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee members at the Oct. 29 hearing played a key role in having about $30 billion for highways, transit and other public works included in a $61-billion stimulus bill that the House approved on Sept. 26.
Similar stimulus legislation effectively was blocked in the Senate, when the measure's proponents failed to overcome a GOP-led filibuster.
There won't be any immediate action on Capitol Hill, because Congress has recessed until after the Nov. 4 election. Industry and labor leaders are expecting the economic crisis to give a new boost to a stimulus plan during a lame-duck session that is coming after the election.
Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman James Oberstar (D-Minn.) said at the Oct. 29 hearing that he hopes Congress will take up a new stimulus package immediately after the election.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) supports such legislation and Senate Majority Leade Harry Reid (D-Nev.) backed the measure that stalled on the floor of that chamber.
In addition, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernancke told the House Budget Committee on Oct. 20 that "with the economy likely to be weak for several quarters, and with some risk of a protracted slowdown, consideration of a fiscal package by the Congress at this juncture seems appropriate. a stimulus is needed."