Amid concerns about the U.S. economy and a potential recession, U.S. lawmakers are discussing a possible economic stimulus package aimed at easing burdens on Americans. Majority Democrats in the House of Representatives say they intend to work with Republicans and the Bush administration, and will meet with President Bush next week.
由于美国人担心美国经济可能出现衰退，国会议员们正在讨论制定一套旨在减轻美国人负担的刺激经济计划。在美国众议院中占多数的民主党议员表示，他们愿意与共和党和布什政府合作，并将于下星期与布什总统会晤。
Democratic House speaker Nancy Pelosi says it's clear the U.S. economy is in a serious downturn. Appearing with other key Democrats, she said congressional leaders have made a decision to move ahead with a stimulus package:
民主党籍的众议院议长佩洛西说，美国经济显然在严重恶化。佩洛西与其他主要的民主党议员一起露面时说，国会领袖们已经决定要推动一个刺激经济的计划。
"To put forth a stimulus package that will be timely, that will be temporary, and will be targeted to middle and low income families so that they can spend the money to inject demand into the economy, create jobs, ease the pain in their lives," said Pelosi.
佩洛西说：“提出一个及时的、临时性针对中低收入家庭的刺激经济计划，使他们能通过消费提高需求，刺激经济发展，创造就业机会，从而减轻他们生活中的痛苦。”
Pelosi and House Democratic leader Steny Hoyer use the words timely, temporary and targeted to describe any proposal Congress would consider.
佩洛西和众议院的民主党领导人霍耶使用“及时”、“临时”和“针对”这类词汇来形容国会要考虑的提议。
They would like to have a measure agreed upon, approved by Congress, and if possible signed by the president before the end of this month:
民主党议员们希望国会能同意和批准一项议案，如果可能的话，他们希望布什总统能在这个月底前签署这项议案。
"We come with no pre-conditions with the administration," said Hoyer. "We want to act together, we want to act in a targeted way, to help those most challenged by the economic downturn that we have confronted."
霍耶说：“我们没有向布什政府提出任何前提条件。我们想一起采取行动，帮助那些受经济恶化影响最大的人们。”
In a presidential election year, concerns about high oil prices, rising health care costs, a volatile stock market, a home mortgage crisis, and various negative indicators have pushed the economy to the top of the agenda along with the war in Iraq.
在总统大选年，人们对居高不下的油价、不断上涨的医疗费用、动荡不安的股市、房贷危机以及其他各种消极因素感到担忧，这使美国经济和伊拉克战争成为美国议事日程上的头等大事。
Democratic Senator Charles Schumer told reporters Americans are worried:
民主党参议员舒默对记者说，美国人民感到担忧。
"They're also worried in the longer term about where we are headed as a nation economically, about how we will be doing 10 years from now, how our kids will be doing," said Charles Schumer. "This was always right beneath the surface and the downturn has brought it, you know, it has broken through in a very strong way and I think it is going to be the major focus of the Congress as re reconvene."
舒默说：“他们也对美国经济的长期发展感到担忧，他们担心10年后我们的经济会怎样，我们的孩子们会怎样。经济恶化带来的这种深层忧虑是非常正确的。他们已经非常强烈地显示出这种忧虑，我想这将是国会重新召开后要讨论的一个主要议题。”
As Democrats blame problems on President Bush's economic policies, Republicans are trying to show they have as much concern about lower and middle class Americans as Democrats.
由于民主党指责布什总统的经济政策有各种各样的问题，共和党人试图表明他们和民主党人一样关注美国中低阶层的人们。
Some House Republicans introduced a plan Wednesday called the Middle Class Job Protection Act, including such steps as a reduction in corporate income tax, and help for small businesses.
众议院的一些共和党议员星期三提出一项名为《中产阶层工作保护法案》，其中包括减少企业所得税和帮助小型企业等步骤。
For Republican Eric Cantor, economic proposals by Democratic presidential candidates such as Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama equate to, in his words, giving money away something he asserts will not help the economy:
"Let's call that what it is," said Cantor. "That is enhancing the safety net in this country. That is not something I think we should look to to grow our economy and to secure the job prospects and economic future for American families."
Before initial talks with speaker Pelosi on economic stimulus proposals, House Republican leader John Boehner said a solution will require bipartisan cooperation, but added Republicans will continue to oppose tax increases or new spending:
在同佩洛西议长初步讨论刺激经济计划之前，众议院共和党领袖博纳说，解决方案的制定需要两党的合作。不过他还说，民主党将继续反对增加税收或为新的经费拨款。
"We believe that pro-growth economic policies will in fact be the quickest stimulus to this economy, and that is clearly where our interest is, I'm not sure where their interest is at this point," said Boehner.
博纳说：“我们相信，支持经济增长的政策实际上将是刺激经济的最快方式，这显然是我们感兴趣的。我不确定他们目前对什么感兴趣。”
Pelosi told reporters she and Democratic leaders expect to meet with the president next week on the stimulus package, which she adds will not be a cure all.
佩洛西对记者说，她和民主党领导人们预计下星期将与布什总统会晤，讨论刺激经济的计划。她还表示，这项刺激经济计划并不能解决美国面临的所有问题。 |