Oregon's Merkley, Schrader sworn in to Congress

By MATTHEW DALY Associated Press Writer Published: Jan 6, 2009 at 10:02 PM PST
Oregon's Merkley, Schrader sworn in to Congress »Play Video
Vice President Dick Cheney, right, administers the Senate oath to Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., accompanied by his wife Mary, and children Jonathan and Byrnne, during a re-enactment ceremonial swearing-in ceremony, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009, in the Old Senate Chamber on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

WASHINGTON (AP) - Oregon's newest senator says Congress should have an economic stimulus package at the new president's desk by the middle of next month.

Democrat Jeff Merkley was one of nine new senators sworn in Tuesday, replacing Republican Gordon Smith. Merkley, the former Oregon House speaker, defeated Smith in November.

Democrat Kurt Schrader, meanwhile, was one of 54 new House members sworn in Tuesday. He replaces retired Rep. Darlene Hooley, D-Ore.

Schrader, a veterinarian and former state senator from Canby, was appointed to serve on the House Agriculture Committee.

Merkley, of Portland, said in an interview that the country's economic crisis is serious - but said it is more important to make sure the stimulus bill is well thought out and effective than to approve it quickly.

Some lawmakers had wanted to get the $800 billion stimulus plan to President-elect Barack Obama by Inauguration Day Jan. 20, but that is considered unlikely.

With unemployment up sharply in the past two months, the stimulus package is extremely important to jump-start the economy, Merkley said.

"Our economy is in a free fall, and it's very important to arrest it," Merkley said, adding that the stimulus package needs to be as large as possible to make a real impact.

Besides investing in roads, bridges and other infrastructure, the bill should invest in alternative energy such as wind and solar power, Merkley said.

Obama's proposal to stimulate the economy includes tax cuts of up to $400 billion and a similar amount in new federal spending. Some $77 billion would be used to extend unemployment benefits and to subsidize health care for people who have lost their jobs.

The rest would go toward job-creation projects such as roads and bridges and toward long-term goals such as alternative energy programs.

Schrader called the agriculture vital industry for his Salem-based district.

"Economic recovery for Oregon requires a strong commitment toward agriculture and natural resource businesses. I look forward to working with farmers, ranchers, forestry representatives and other agricultural businesses to turn our economy around and revitalize rural Oregon," he said.

On the Net:

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)