Answer:
The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 was a United States federal law enacted on February 13, 2008, to provide economic relief amid the Great Recession. The act provided tax rebates to individuals and tax incentives for businesses. It also increased the limits on mortgages eligible for purchase by government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The total cost of the act was projected at $152 billion for 2008.
The main causes of the legislation were:
- The subprime mortgage crisis, which began in 2007, led to a decline in housing prices and a rise in foreclosures. This had a negative impact on the economy, as it led to a decrease in consumer spending and investment.
- The financial crisis of 2008, which began in September 2008, led to a collapse of the GSEs and a severe tightening of credit markets. This made it difficult for businesses to borrow money, which further slowed economic growth.
The government enacted the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 in an attempt to:
- Boost consumer spending and investment, which would help to create jobs and stimulate economic growth.
- Prevent the financial crisis from worsening, which would have had a devastating impact on the economy.
The act was controversial, with some economists arguing that it was not large enough to have a significant impact on the economy. However, the act did provide some relief to individuals and businesses, and it is generally credited with helping to prevent the Great Recession from becoming even worse.