Senator Ron Johnson today commented on the second anniversary of the signing of the ‘stimulus.’ Johnson said:

“Today is the second anniversary of the signing of the ‘stimulus’ bill, which the president said would create 3.5 million jobs and ‘jumpstart’ the economy. With 92% of the funds already spent, it’s clear that the bill failed to generate genuine private sector growth, or to keep unemployment below eight percent – as supporters promised. And in addition to failing to create jobs, the stimulus has added nearly $1 trillion to our national debt.

Considering the obvious failure of this approach, it’s stunning that so many in Congress want to push for more government spending in the name of job creation. History has shown that it just won’t work. Today’s anniversary ought to be a timely reminder that it is the private sector – not the public sector - that creates long-term self-sustaining jobs.

The size, scope, and cost of government is the root cause of our economic problems. It must be reduced.”

President Obama signed the stimulus bill into law on February 17, 2009. According to the federal Recovery Board, 92 percent of stimulus funds have been made available as of February 4, 2011.

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