Republican Opposition Nearly Unanimous
WASHINGTON -- The Democratic-controlled Congress has passed a $787 billion economic stimulus bill designed to attack the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, handing a victory to President Barack Obama.
The Senate approved the measure 60-38 with three GOP moderates providing crucial support. Hours earlier, the House vote was 246-183, with all Republicans opposed to the package of tax cuts and federal spending that Obama has made the centerpiece of his plan for economic recovery.
The 8-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.
Obama claims 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.
The Senate approved the measure 60-38 with three GOP moderates providing crucial support. Hours earlier, the House vote was 246-183, with all Republicans opposed to the package of tax cuts and federal spending that Obama has made the centerpiece of his plan for economic recovery.
The 8-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.
Obama claims 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.
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