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Caterpillar Will Rehire If Stimulus Passes

By BEN FELLER
,
AP
posted: 147 DAYS 12 HOURS AGO
comments: 10
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SPRINGFIELD, Va. (Feb. 11) - President Barack Obama said Wednesday that heavy-equipment maker Caterpillar has informed him it will rehire some of the thousands of workers it has laid off in recent weeks if Congress passes an economic stimulus bill.
"The time for talk has passed," Obama said.
The president's travel to pitch the urgency of the stimulus plan was his third day in a row to leave Washington. On Thursday, he goes to Peoria, Ill., to visit a Caterpillar manufacturing plant.
The world's largest maker of mining and construction machinery announced more than 22,000 job cuts last month amid waning demand for its products.
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But Obama said the company told him Wednesday it would hire back some of those workers if the legislation passes. As House and Senate negotiators worked to reconcile differences between competing versions of the legislation, Obama spoke during a visit to a highway construction site here just outside of Washington.
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"You don't need to travel very far from that debate to see why this plan is both urgent and essential for our recovery," he said.
With bulldozers visible behind him, Obama aimed — as he has all week — to build momentum by demonstrating real-world consequences of both the economic downturn and provisions in the bill aimed at helping create jobs and rejuvenate the economy.
As an example of a shovel-ready project that could get a jump-start from the bill, Obama cited an unfinished stretch of the Fairfax County Parkway connector. It serves the new east campus of National Geospatial Agency and is seen as key to easing horrible traffic congestion. The project's initial phases are under way but more money is needed to finish it.
"We're surrounded by unmet needs and unfinished business — in our schools and in our schools and our roads, in the systems we employ to treat the sick, in the energy we use to power our homes," Obama said. "And that's the core of my plan, putting people to work doing the work that America needs done."
Obama also traveled to Indiana and Florida this week to pitch the stimulus plan.
"So much depends on what we do at this moment," the president said. "It's not just about the future of my administration. It's about the future of our economy and our country."
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
2009-02-11 12:21:38
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Mcougar123

11:00 PMFeb 12 2009

Is caterpillar bribing the United States of America? How much are they getting in the SPENDING bill?

AVG RATING:
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Drof2th

07:44 PMFeb 12 2009

YOU LIBS ARE MORONS! CATERPILLER IS ON THE BOARD OF ADVISORS FOR NOBAMA!!!! NICE TRY TO SLIP THAT ONE BY!!!!!!

AVG RATING:
(1)

CustomConSkin

07:13 PMFeb 12 2009

Sure Cat will re-hire. Does our President think we are idiots??? With all the road building projects in the stimulus, Cat will be manufacturing equipment.If you are an intelligent, and concerned American, look at this website and join the intelligent thinkers http://www.hermancain.com/hitm.asp.

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Joecrpschrst

07:07 PMFeb 12 2009

I work on Cats everyday. I hope all the people get their jobs back. Come on Obama!!

AVG RATING:
(1)

Discos72

07:03 PMFeb 12 2009

to DaPrinter: see I think that might just be the problem.To "them" its not about "us" its about their own needs and greed,we are just the 'tools" used to get them what they want.I think we are getting close to history repeating itself.Teaparty Anyone?

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DaPrinter14903

12:30 AMJan 16 2009

It seems as though all I read about is people sticking there hands out wanting a quick easy fix. But nobody is lowering there prices as a result of the sky rocketed gas driven prices that drived everything we buy through the roof. How bout we stop being greedy and adjust the prices back to where they were so we can afford to live. Everyone, is responsible to make the difference. Gas prices came down. How bout transportation of goods? The truck drivers unions need to lower there prices too! Cab companies need to lower theres prices, food distributors, utility companies need to do the same It's all of our problems and all of our responsiblity to make the differenc and quit crying!

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Pcfruitycox

02:17 PMJan 15 2009

WHILE THEY ARE AT IT-----END NAFTA NOW AND ALL TRADE DEALS THAT HAS DISTROYED JOBS FOR THE WORKING CLASS OR AMERICA WILL NEVER RECOVER FROM THE TREASON BIG BUSINESS HAS DONE TO THIS COUNTRY!!!!!!!!

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(1)

Alhbee

10:37 AMJan 15 2009

He can't afford larger rebates. After all look what happened to the $3000 he promised. Just another liar. Obamer promised so much and he has to cut back as we have to pay for his promisdes.Obama liesAn old man criesThe country dies

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Bluejacketfan001

10:25 AMJan 15 2009

I never understand why they dont want to give larger rebates to the people. $500 will not stimulate the economy it will just fill our tank up a few times. If they would give $2000-3500 it would help the economy alot more

AVG RATING:
(2)

CBailey621

10:14 AMJan 15 2009

Here comes the socialism that everyone warned of. This will be the biggest growth of government, with all the personal restrictions needed to become fully a socialist operation. We have screwed ourselves by not researching and seeing what the 20% of liberals have pushed down our throats.

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