Dems Put Auto Aid in Fast Lane

Irate GOP calls measure 'son of stimulus'

(AP) - President Obama's Democratic allies in the House have muscled through a year-end measure—with a price tag of $174 billion—aimed at creating jobs through a second round of stimulus spending. The 217-212 vote reflected considerable uneasiness among Democrats over the prospect of voting for more debt-financed spending as the government runs mammoth budget deficits. Republicans were united in their opposition to the bill. More»

House aims to have job creation package ready by Xmas

(NEWSER) - House Democrats hit by accusations they've been focusing on health care at the expense of employment plan to tackle job creation in the coming weeks. There's no consensus on whether the move will come as one big package or a series of smaller measures but Democratic leaders plan to have legislation in place by Christmas, congressional aides tell The Hill. More»

(NEWSER) - These days, $787 billion just doesn't go as far as it used to. A meeting of House Democratic leaders and their economic advisers today has raised the prospect of a second stimulus package, the Hill reports. “We have to keep the door open,” Nancy Pelosi said after the meeting. “The word of the day is confidence.” Economist Mark Zandi was blunter. “We are going to need more taxpayer money.” More»

Stick up to Reid, Dems urge Pelosi

(NEWSER) - The Senate requires 60 votes to avoid filibuster, so the 58-strong Democrats are at the mercy of centrist Republicans Arlen Specter, Olympia Snowe, and Susan Collins. Politico reports that House Dems, who have no trouble passing bills on their own, are unhappy that their legislation has to run this gauntlet. Says one, “You have Specter, Snowe, and Collins dictating terms to 250" of us. More»

Prez still didn't get much GOP support

(NEWSER) - President Obama promised a new spirit of cooperation in Washington, and in his relationship with Congress, he did his best to deliver, the Wall Street Journal reports. Obama left congressional leaders wide leeway in crafting the stimulus bill and stayed in close touch with members. Joe Biden stayed on pivotal senators like Susan Collins, calling her back repeatedly in rural Maine. More»