Pelosi in Houston to talk about stimulus package

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other Democrats are holding up the Port of Houston as a shining example of the positive impact of last year's $787 billion economic stimulus package.

Speaker Pelosi and the other lawmakers are at the port today. They claim there are 3,500 new jobs there thanks to The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. As a result of the act, the port was awarded nearly $100 million. The Democratic lawmakers say that money was then used to create the 3,500 jobs.

But some local Republican congressmen disagree with Pelosi's statement. Houston-area Congressmen Kevin Brady, John Culberson, Michael McCaul, Ted Poe and Pete Olson issued a statement ahead of Pelosi's visit to the Port of Houston.

The congressmen said because of the actions of the Obama administration, the Johnson Space Center and BAE Systems' military vehicle production facility together stand to lose nearly 20,000 jobs.

The congressmen said, "If Speaker Pelosi is truly concerned about the welfare of our state and our economy, we invite her to visit these fine institutions and meet with their outstanding employees."

After the news conference, Pelosi took a few questions. When asked about the plan for health care she told Eyewitness News that she had not read the full bill unveiled by President Obama, however, she thinks they were very close to a deal.

Eyewitness news reporter Miya Shay is at the press conference. We'll have more on this story throughout the day here on abc13.com and a full recap on Eyewitness News beginning at 4pm.