WASHINGTON- Rep. Earl Pomeroy, D-N.D., said Friday that passage of the stimulus package is a necessary step to getting the economy back and keeping the situation from getting worse.

Pomeroy voted for the bill that was approved Friday by the House.

Pomeroy said the bill will provide a strong boost to North Dakota's economy by saving and creating more than 8,000 jobs in the state, providing tax relief to struggling families and businesses and investing in priorities like health care, education and energy.

"I believe the threat to our nation's economy is the worst since the Great Depression, making it incredibly important for us to respond," Pomeroy said in a statement.