Palin Among GOP Govs Backing Obama Plan

111th passed vast legislation in 'dysfunctional' environment

(NEWSER) - The 111th Congress adjourned last night, after passing more key legislation that affected more Americans than any since Lyndon Johnson’s 1960s “Great Society,” Bloomberg reports. That included $1.67 trillion spent to save the economy, health insurance for 32 million people, and new regulations on Wall Street; in the lame-duck session alone, there was the tax cut deal, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” repeal, START treaty ratification, and 9/11 health bill. More»

Republicans criticize it as another bailout

(NEWSER) - The House today approved $26 billion in emergency funding intended to protect the jobs of teachers and other government employees across the country, the Washington Post reports. Nancy Pelosi called the House back from August recess for a 1-day session to approve the bill, which she thinks will save 300,000 jobs. The House approved the measure by a vote of 247 to 161, mostly along party lines. It now goes to the White House for President Obama's signature. More»

Wyclef Jean will be in good company if he loses

(NEWSER) - Wyclef Jean is running for president of Haiti , but already things aren’t going well for the controversy-plagued singer. If he loses, he won’t be the first celebrity to suffer a failed political campaign: Time lists 10 others:

• Norman Mailer: Despite being a literary giant, the Pulitzer Prize- and National Book Award-winning author ran for mayor of New York and lost—9 years after he first attempted to run for the position, telling a journalist he wanted to “bring back the Middle Ages,” complete with jousting tournaments.

Also adds 20 weeks of jobless benefits

(NEWSER) - The House voted to extend and expand an $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers as part of a stimulus expansion expected to inject $45 billion into the economy. The legislation, which passed the Senate yesterday, also extends unemployment benefits for 20 weeks and creates tax breaks for businesses suffering losses. President Obama will sign it tomorrow. The House voted 403-12, with Republicans accounting for all the “no” votes. More»

VP: 'If it doesn't work, I'm dead'

(NEWSER) - The $787 billion economic stimulus package is working better than expected, Joe Biden said yesterday in a conference call with state governors. “In my wildest dreams, I never thought it would work this well,” Biden said. “Thank you, thank you.” Biden held the conference—which included every governor in the country except Louisiana Republican Bobby Jindal—to urge state officials to report on how many jobs had been created or saved by the stimulus before next month's deadline. More»