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Senate, Obama Spar Over Stimulus

By the Associated Press

Posted Feb 7, 2009 5:26 PM CST

(AP) – President Barack Obama and Senate Republicans bickered today over his historically huge economic recovery plan after states and schools lost tens of billions of dollars in a late-night bargain to save it, the AP reports. "We can't afford to make perfect the enemy of the absolutely necessary," Obama said. The Senate convened a rare Saturday session to debate a compromise forged between GOP moderates and the White House.

The $827 billion measure is on track to pass the Senate on Tuesday despite stiff opposition from Republicans and disappointment among Democrats, including the new president who labeled it imperfect. Next up: Difficult negotiations between the House and Senate, which are divided over spending for tax cuts, education and aid for local governments.

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Joe Lieberman speaks alongside other senators while telling reporters about the Senate's work to pass the economic stimulus bill in the face of strong GOP opposition, Feb. 6, 2009, in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Senate Majority Leader Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., center, talks about the Senate's work on the economic stimulus bill, Friday, Feb. 6, 2009, at the Capitol in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Barack Obama looks at a teleprompter while speaking in the East Room of the White House February 6, 2009 in Washington, DC. (Getty Images)

Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad (D-ND) talks with reporters about the economic stimulus legislation in the U.S. Capitol February 6, 2009 in Washington, DC. (Getty Images)

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It reduces a number of highly stimulative items like state fiscal relief ... and largely substitute for it some large tax cuts that are highly ineffective as stimulus. - Bob Greenstein, founder of the liberal Center on Budget and Policy Priorities

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Senate, Obama Spar Over Stimulus

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