Senate & White House Battle Today Over Stimulus Plans

House & Senate back rival packages
By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 31, 2008 4:35 AM CST
Senate & White House Battle Today Over Stimulus Plans
Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, left, listens to President Bush tell reporters in the White House briefing room at the White House in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 24, 2008, that he and leaders of the Democratic-led Congress have agreed to work together on an economic stimulus package to boost the sagging...   (Associated Press)

The Senate and White House face off today over economic stimulus packages designed to get consumers spending again. With bipartisan support, the Senate Finance committee approved a $157 billion plan that would give more than $1,000 to almost every family in the US. A White House proposal, backed by the House of Representatives, is considerably less generous.

One weakness in the House bill is that it excludes as many as 20 million seniors. Three Senate Republicans are backing the Senate bill, which may forestall opposition from House Republicans. "Concern with timing must be weighed against the question of the quality of the House bill," said one of the GOP senators. (More economic stimulus package stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X