Here is what the republicans supported for a bailout.

The House of Representatives passed a so-called stimulus package last week that, when the more than $300 billion in interest payments are added in will cost the American taxpayers over $1.1 trillion. I could not support this package, which I felt included far too little actual stimulus, included far too much plain old political pork, and added way too much debt to the already over-burdened American taxpayer, as well as generations of taxpayers to come.

The idea of investing in shovel-ready transportation and infrastructure projects to stimulate the economy is one worthy of Congress’ support. It would quickly inject money into the economy by getting construction and related job sectors working – while also taking care of important infrastructure projects that have been on the nation’s “to do list” for some time. Unfortunately, the package passed by the House last week, included such funding almost as an afterthought. It was overshadowed by hundreds of billions of dollars for brand-new programs, the National Endowment for the Arts, federal government office buildings, and more.

I supported an alternative package that really would stimulate the economy by putting more money in the hands of small businesses and families that can really use it to create jobs, purchase goods, and more. Amongst other things, the Republican Economic Recovery Plan would:

• Reduce the lowest individual tax rates from 15% to 10% and from 10% to 5%, helping more than 500,000 filers in Minnesota’s Sixth District alone.

• Allow small businesses to take a tax deduction equal to 20% of their income.

• Provide a home-buyers credit of $7500 for those who can make a minimum down-payment of 5%.

I also supported a motion to recommit, or to send the Democrat package back to committee to make the following changes:

• Increase investment in shovel-ready transportation and infrastructure projects by $60.25 billion.

• Eliminate $135.8 billion in funding for 32 new discretionary programs created by the bill.

• Eliminate Fiscal Year 2010 funding for 17 existing federal programs – funding that jumps the gun on a budgeting process that hasn’t even begun yet.

• Reduce funding for the National Endowment for the Arts, Americorps, GSA federal office buildings, and NOAA Habitat Restoration.

Last week, I also published a column in the Star Tribune that sought to put the massive $825-billion stimulus package in some historical context. In case you missed it, you can read it here: