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Senators Wrangle Over Stimulus Cuts

Bipartisan group works to carve plan down to size

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 6, 2009 3:49 AM CST

(Newser) – A bipartisan group of some 20 senators argued late last night over cuts to the $900 billion stimulus package, and will reconvene today, reports the New York Times. Democrats and Republicans alike say they want to slash provisions that won't swiftly create jobs or boost spending—but they are struggling to reach agreement on which provisions fail the test.

Democratic leaders still hope to get broad bipartisan support for the bill, but have signaled they will try to muscle it through with only a few Republican votes if the group doesn't make a deal today. "If they think they're going to rewrite this bill and Barack Obama is going to walk away from what he is trying to do for the American people, they've got another thought coming," warned Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

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Windows in the office of Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., pierce the darkness as the Senate worked late into the night on the economic stimulus legislation yesterday. (AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke)

Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., talks with reporters between votes as the Senate worked into the night on the economic stimulus package yesterday. (AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke)

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, followed by Ben Nelson, D-Neb., exits a senators-only meeting on Capitol Hill yesterday. (AP Photo/Lauren Victoria Burke)

Sen. Richard Durbin holds a copy of the stimulus bill passed by the House of Representatives as he speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill yesterday. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

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We're trying to focus it on spending that truly helps stimulate the economy. People have different views on whether or not a program meets that test. So we're continuing to talk.
- Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine)

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Senators Wrangle Over Stimulus Cuts