Friday, February 13, 2009

House passes Obama's economic stimulus bill

February 13, 2009

House passes Obama's economic stimulus bill By ANDREW TAYLOR Associated Press

WASHINGTON— The House has passed a $787-billion plan to resuscitate the economy, handing President Barack Obama a big victory.

The measure was passed 246-183, with no Republican "yes" votes. It will now go to the Senate, where a vote is expected later today.

The eight-inch-thick measure combines tax cuts for individuals and businesses with a half-trillion dollars in government spending for infrastructure, health care and help for cash-starved state governments. Seniors would get a $250 bonus Social Security check.

Eight Democrats voted against the bill.

Obama says that the plan will save or create 3.5 million jobs. But Republicans said it won't work because it has too little in tax cuts and spreads too much money around to everyday projects like computer upgrades for federal agencies.


MCL comment: Why are the Republicans dead set on these tax cuts? After eight years of George Bush where most of his plans to help the economy were tax cuts.

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