On Capitol Hill, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D) of California shared a laugh with House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D) of Maryland during a news conference Wednesday to discuss stimulus legislation. (Susan Walsh/AP)
House passes stimulus bill; now for the great Senate debate
Obama invites GOP ideas for the largest spending bill in US history.
By Gail Russell Chaddock | Staff writer/ January 29, 2009 edition
Reporter Gail Russell Chaddock says the tone in the US Senate has begun to show signs of respect, accommodation, and civility.
Reporter Gail Russell Chaddock
With the biggest spending bill in American history on the line, the US Senate is gearing up for a debate for the ages.
With Republicans at 41 in the 100-member Senate – precisely the number they need to block legislation with a filibuster – Democrats could muscle the bill over the line by breaking off just one or two Republican votes.
Instead, President Obama is putting on a full-court press for a bigger, bipartisan vote to signal change in Washington. That means a more open process, including a full debate.
“I hope I communicated a sincere desire to get good ideas from everybody,” said Mr. Obama, after meeting separately with House and Senate Republicans on Tuesday.
“My attitude is, this is the first major piece of legislation we’ve worked on and that over time, some of these habits of consultation and mutual respect will take over, but old habits die hard.”
In contrast to the House, where Republicans complain that the $819 billion economic recovery package has been drafted without their input, the Senate is ramping up for a more open process. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed on Wednesday by a vote of 244 to 188, with no Republican support. Eleven Democrats voted with 177 Republicans to oppose the bill. [Editor’s note: The original version understated the number of Democrats who opposed the bill.]
In response to Senate GOP concerns, the president urged cutting some of the more controversial provisions, including $200 million to resod the National Mall and increased payments for contraceptives in Medicare.
On Tuesday, the Senate Finance Committee added a $70 billion bipartisan provision to the bill to prevent the alternative minimum tax from affecting middle-class families – a priority for the top Republican on the panel, Sen. Charles Grassley (R) of Iowa.
That and other provisions in the Senate version of the bill bring the cost of the stimulus bill near $900 billion. In addition, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that borrowing to pay for the plan will add $347 billion in interest costs.
In a sharp break with practice over the last two years, Senate Democratic leaders are offering the minority opportunities to amend bills on the floor.
“If we’re going to move as quickly as the timelines suggests [on a stimulus bill], we need to get a bill that enjoys broad bipartisan support,” says Jim Manley, a spokesman for Senate majority leader Harry Reid. “If not, it’s going to be bogged down by procedural motions that are going to stall progress.”
What Democrats hope to avoid is one of those arcane, procedural slugfests that produce endless quorum calls, but no votes on substance.
Even Republicans who expect to oppose the final bill want next week’s debate to be on the issues.
“Democrats may have the votes to succeed, but we have a moral responsibility as a loyal opposition to express our honest concerns,” says Sen. Jeff Sessions (R) of Alabama. “This is a question of what direction America is going to take: Will we continue this spasm of spending the likes of which we’ve never seen before or will we show more restraint?”
At issue for Republicans is whether Democrats will use the nation’s current economic woes as cover for a permanent expansion of government.
Appealing directly to the new president, GOP lawmakers are urging the White House to enhance tax cuts and do more to solve the housing crisis, including providing that people facing foreclosure can refinance their homes at a 4 percent mortgage rate. They also call for zeroing out social spending that they say will not deliver quick stimulus to the economy.
Claiming as their watchword the phrase used by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in the last Congress, Republicans say that any stimulus must be “timely, targeted, and temporary.”
“We’re going to continue to try to encourage the majority here in the Congress to incorporate a number of our ideas,” said Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell (R) of Kentucky at a briefing on Tuesday.
“I’m pleased with the way the Senate has been operating on the floor, pleased that we’re getting amendments offered, laid down, and voted on. And my assumption is that that’s the way we’re going to operate the rest of this Congress,” he added.
In the end, the outcome in the Senate will likely turn on a few moderate Republican votes. Although moderate GOP ranks were diminished in 2008 elections, they still include Senator Grassley and Maine Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins.
“I’m not sure that we’ve yet achieved the right balance, the right mix between tax relief and spending programs,” said Senator Collins after a Senate GOP meeting with Obama on Tuesday.
“I’m also concerned that some of the provisions in the bill appear to be worthwhile programs but really have nothing to do with creating or preserving jobs or helping to turn the economy around,” she said.
But across the board, Republicans are praising the new president for contributing to a change in tone on Capitol Hill, including the prospect of an open debate.
“There may be a kind of meta-strategy here: That simply by lowering the volume of acrimony, the president will probably get enough Republican votes to get it through the Senate,” says Ross Baker, a political scientist at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J.
“Just by reducing the level of harshness, I think Obama feels that he can change the atmosphere of debate in Washington,” Mr. Baker says. “As long as he gets it through with even token Republican support, I think he can point to a better atmosphere in the future.”
Comments
2. Professor Dingleberry | 01.29.09
“The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed on Wednesday by a vote of 244 to 188, with no Republican support. Eight Democrats voted with 177 Republicans to oppose the bill.”
Your math skills need a little more stimulation.
3. Michael G. Gallagher | 01.29.09
Obama is trying to put into practice this old adage: you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. This poses a trap for the Republicans because they have to maintain enough of a difference between themselves and Obama to please their very conservative base, of whom four million stayed home on election day. But the Republicans in Congress also can’t afford to appear be too opposed to Obama’s agenda unless they want to lose any chance whatsoever of winning back the large number of more moderate voters they need to rebuild the GOP and set the stage for a political comeback.
Mike Gallagher
Seoul, South Korea
4. Larry | 01.29.09
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed on Wednesday by a vote of 244 to 188, with no Republican support. Eight Democrats voted with 177 Republicans to oppose the bill.
177 Republicans + 8 Democrats does not equal 188 nay votes.
That’s some fine reporting there, Lou…
6. Nick | 01.29.09
What is the point of the stimulus package. If you spread out all that money between every American that 2700 dollars. Will i see one penny of that after i have spent most my life paying taxes? Most likely no. Why will i not see it, because im not dumb enough to put myself in a financial position most are in. I don`t take out a mortgage that is based on 2 salaries in my household, but only one and college is affordable for everyone!!! Just get a degree that will pay off your loans. If you can`t pay off $200,000 in debt with an art degree then become a doctor or engineer. If your passion puts you in the poor house shut up and don`t take my money.
7. B. Bakin | 01.29.09
Republicans and democrats have the responsibility to verify, validate, and audit the bill to ensure that solid jobs are being created, not the crazy stuff that I have viewed in the bill related to condums, placement of sod and wasteful spending.
8. Fed UP | 01.29.09
I hope this money won’t go in the pockets of corporations who killed our economy by offshoring manufacturing, IT, and other services. They started this mess.
9. ddudeck@siteone.net | 01.29.09
As a disable vet I’ve lost a lot of faith in my country, and beleive the very smart people who were chosen to run our country in the past have brought us to our knees.All I want to see are the vets 1st. at the top of every dicussion. Without the vets you guys probably wouldn’t exist.God have mercy on your soles.
10. Marvin, FL | 01.29.09
Why can’t we vote without party lines? I mean, every republican in congress is opposing this bill? C’mon… if this had been McCain’s plan, I bet it would have been voted on unanymously. We have to stop this…This wasn’t written by idiots, or I hope not… hopefully something can be resolved, but I doubt it!
12. Robbie | 01.29.09
I hope Senate Republicans will not let us down. There are two irreconcilable Americas. One side has to win, and one side has to lose. From Obama’s executive order that revives US funding for overseas abortion to the Democrats’ plan to expand the federal government, the Democrats’ vision for America contradicts the Republicans’ vision for America. The problem with the Bush years is that the Republicans didn’t see two irreconcilable Americas in which one side has to win and the other side has to lose. Democrats saw the conflict very clearly, which is why we saw such hatred of George W. Bush. Democrats, however, learned that they had to have a Trojan horse in order to get in government so that they can impose their ideas. That Trojan horse was Obama winning on the tax cuts issue. Now they have luck because everybody thinks we’re in the worst “economic crisis” “since the Great Depression.” Democrats are hoping their Trojan horse plus the public’s perception of crisis will allow them to win. Republicans have to realize that they cannot compromise with the Democrats’ vision of America.
13. Patriot Henry | 01.29.09
“now for the great Senate debate”
Is this a sick joke? There isn’t any debating in Congress. The only one debating is Ron Paul and he can’t get anyone to even acknowledge the existence of his points.
“largest spending bill in US history.”
You can’t spend that which you don’t have. This is the largest looting bill in US and world history so far as I know.
14. Paul Oser | 01.29.09
I beleive their should be NO stimulus bill. Their should be a 15% tax cut across the board for business. Their for It should bring business back to america.High taxes has forced them to other countries. Business are the only ones that generate tax dollars. You give people inouf insentives, they will start business. Than only then you will see tax dollars.
15. Clifford Collier | 01.29.09
Maby it’s time to tell Pelosi to SHUT UP about their majority.I hope the Republicans do Fillibuster and then get a good bill on the floor.We need Politicians that work not Brag.
16. Steven King | 01.29.09
Any talk show pundit who’s evaluated this legislation realizes it’s full of pork, pork, pork. Our bicameral “check in balance” to the Executive Branch has the moral (yes, moral) responsibility to ensure that “any” spending our government does will generate a response in our economy.
How is it that Bush was blasted for his insistence that we pass a stimulus plan five months ago - and was bashed by the media; and yet, all the media is doing now is encouraging the same for the new president?
17. Kathy | 01.29.09
What’s needed now-right now-is an actual stimulus package. An outrageous amount for STD awareness programs won’t provide jobs and if people haven’t figured out by now how to avoid getting sexually transmitted diseases, I doubt they ever will. Also, pouring more money into the National Endowment for the Arts isn’t strictly necessary in my book. I think we’ve had enough of liberal art such as elephant dung spread on the virgin and crucifixes floating in jars of urine.
18. Kris | 01.29.09
I found this story funny. The writer needs to do his research and stop making unfounded assumptions. ALL Republicans and 7 Democrats voted against the bailout package in the House.
19. Zeke Wunderlin | 01.29.09
Go ahead Republicans vote the bill down. Let G.W.’s legacy continue. Then watch how fast you are re-elected. Not hundreds out of work but thousands.
“WAKE UP”
20. Zeke Wunderlin | 01.29.09
Go ahead Republicans vote the bill down. Let G.W.’s legacy continue. Then watch how fast you are re-elected. Not hundreds out of work but thousands.
“WAKE UP”
21. Average American | 01.29.09
Divisive Democrats!
They are doing exactly what the Republicans said they would, spending like we’ve never seen before. They said Obama had a Trillion dollar spending plan to super size the people’s dependence on the National Government thereby creating job security for the democrats. These chuckleheads have no moral qualms about destroying the nation just to ensure their dominance… We can surely look forward to more social engineering programs from the democrats like their “fruitful” Fair Housing Act that has caused the world economic melt down… Wow, the CHANGE we really needed!
22. Deborah Donaghue | 01.29.09
The cost of this recovery bill is overwhelming. Our government is obligated to keep the cost as low as possible and still be effective. Some of the provisions, while worthwhile, do not belong in this spending package and should be eleminated. Paring away the unnecessary will not only make this package more manageable, but also increase the governments popularity with the American people. Do this and we will begin to believe that a new wind is blowing in Washington.
24. wayne s | 01.29.09
oink, oink if it looks like, smells like and tastes like, it probably is oink.
25. Darrel | 01.29.09
200 MILLION to resod the national mall. Who cares about the grass at the mall during a time like this!!! That can wait!!! Thinking like that is why we are in the position we are in. It is called TAKING CARE OF PRIORITIES.
26. Katrina | 01.29.09
I just hope that the money actually goes to help ordinary Americans and not just particular industries. It seems like the money given go to the banks via the TARP program was given out with no strings attached so it is helping the banks but is it helping the people who need loans? http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/18/business/18bank.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&bl&ei=5087&en=1be6139a60b561c0&ex=1232859600
27. B. Clark | 01.29.09
This stimulus, as currently standing, is more much about long range democratic power holding than assisting the American people.
28. jim carter | 01.29.09
If you would reply to this response with the HR Number of this stimulus bill. Thanks…Jim
29. Dlo | 01.29.09
Really the republican party should drop all party affiliated agendas and review what would be best for the United States, analyze this bill and decide is this increase in spending really going to be what is best for us. They currently have the power to make the right decision. Wow “a provision to provide 200 million to resod the National Mall. Really even though this has been cut from the bill, it should be enough to raise a red flag. I wish their was a comittee that wasn’t agenda biased that could review each bill that comes to the table. The fact that the provision listed above was even slated in this bill really scares me about this bill. I am not getting the impression that this bill is a stimilus bill. Remember don’t judge a book by it’s cover. It’s similar to Corn Refiners Association’s comercials telling us that High Fructose Corn Syrup is good for us. It’s deceitful.
30. grant | 01.29.09
200,000,000 for sod. 150,000,000 for an inauguration. Hello, is anybody there? This can’t be true!
31. Mike D. | 01.29.09
Now why exactly does the US Government have to “borrow” money and “pay 345 billion in interest”(to China and other investment groups)when the government is giving money to Wall Street firms, banks, and Insurance companies to save the wealthy?
Why are they not “giving” the money to the very people who pay the taxes for it instead of “loaning” the money and having to “borrow it” when it comes to helping the US taxpayer? We all know the taxpayer will not only pay the full amount that was so called “borrowed” they will also pay for the interest on the amount. It is the basic under the table transfer of our money to wealthy people and foreign countries to help bail them out.
Looks like the “change” thing is already doing down the tubes.
Nothing changes in Washington DC.
32. James | 01.29.09
The government should put in an order for a huge number of electric cars that meet certain criteria. (200 mile range, 4 passenger, powered by photovoltaics on your house roof, built in a plant that uses no fossil fuels, whatever) Just create the dream car, cut certain regulatory red tape, set out a big stack of money for the winners, and let America get to work inventing and building it.
What would that do? Create jobs. Get us off oil. That the money/power from oil-funded terrorists. That leads the way for China, etc. That rescues GM, starts new businesses, and gives investors something healthy to gamble on. The revolution (like any in history) must be made profitable.
33. dan | 01.29.09
don’t tell me what everyone else is saying. Tell me what the bill says and I will make up my own mind. Report on the facts not on the fluff.
34. Kathy | 01.29.09
This is an outrage! This bill contains BILLIONS of dollars going to ACORN…we all know they are Obama’s little pet group dedicated to voter fraud. Can’t stand it!
36. JAL64 | 01.29.09
I for one would REALLY appreciate reportage that enlightens the reader as to the specifics of the GOP’s dissension. The quote by Senator Collins, “I’m also concerned that some of the provisions in the bill appear to be worthwhile programs but really have nothing to do with creating or preserving jobs or helping to turn the economy around” BEGS for specifics that should be included in any article on this topic. Without this information it is just too easy to portray the GOP as a gaggle of Grinches. Unless, of course, that is the underlying goal of the writer. If so, shame on you for publishing it.
37. Peter H | 01.29.09
No, it’s not greedy corporations, it’s greedy Americans who are to blame. A person doing a low paying job, expending as little energy as possible to do it yet makes $25, $35 or $45 an hour is being over paid. Hence, jobs fly out of the country to people who are willing to work for much less money. Then of course, us Americans dump our moneys overseas on massive amounts of products!!! Stop pointing the finger at government, corporations, etc….. and start looking in the mirror. And lastly, here goes the American governemnt borrowing MORE money to give to overpaid programs such as pork, welfare, food stamps, etc.. to make it even more comfortable for those people, hence, buying Democratic votes for the future. Just like our personal households, borrow too much money and we crash in the long run. American’s need to buckle down, buy our own prodcuts, accept a realistic wage, live within our means, stop encouraging welfare and stop wasteful spending.
38. Myke | 01.29.09
Anyone who will admit the truth, knows that ACORN caused this meltdown by selling bad loans to illegals and people who couldn’t afford them. Anyone who gives them money is led by his own corruptness. Billions to ACORN. They have already made our homes worthless. What will they do with this money to finish off the middle class? Not one thing in this stimulus bill will reverse the layoffs or create new jobs. Any jobs that are created will not be given to Americans. Microsoft, Hewlett Packard, Pfiser are all laying off Americans while keeping their foreign workers here on work Visas. Why don’t we stop that and see what that does for the economy before giving ACORN billions to finish us off.
39. Bill from PA | 01.29.09
Actually, the vote was 177 republicans and 11 democrats. I looked at the roll call vote.
40. Tyler | 01.29.09
Pelosi and Hoyer are clueless buffoons who are leading America right down the path to civil war.
41. Michael | 01.29.09
If government spending stopped recessions we would never have a recession cycle. This is a Spending bill not a stimulus package. Call your representative and tell them to STOP new spending! Freeze all increases to current spending programs.
Tax cuts always work as stimulus, always. Cut Capital Gains to Zero, Reduce the Corporate rate to Zero, Dissolve the IRS and implement a flat tax on consumption.
42. Rod Blagojevich | 01.29.09
I hope the package passes. Gives me and my future generations of children a place to sleep in comfort after they sod the mall. That is, if Her Highness Pelosi allows me to have children.
43. Ayasha15@aol.com | 01.29.09
This bill should not pass with pork. No special interests that are so popular with our government. That would include ACORN.
But they don’t seem to listen to us anymore.
It’s almost become a government that will pat us on the head and tell us they know what’s best.
Trouble is, they don’t.
44. Dunots | 01.29.09
There’s really quite a lot of vitriol flying around in here! I’m always amazed by how much the issue of “spending” infuriates people.
“The government doesn’t have any money to spare! Stop spending entirely!”
So… If we’re not paying the money to the government to have it spend money on our infrastructure and societal programs, what exactly -are- we paying for? I hardly think that the solution to the economic situation is “do nothing.” Will we just abolish taxes altogether? I don’t really think that more monetary policy is the way to go, as the reserve rate is already about as low as it can go and has changed little.
With regard to taxes: the government’s job is -not- to attempt to generate the most tax revenue possible. The government in a welfare state is responsible for the welfare of its people. (Yes, this is a welfare state. Or would you rather live in the alternative: a military state?) Taxes are a means to an end, nothing more. Do we need these programs, initiatives, or infrastructure? If so, do them, then worry about taxes, etc. The solvency of the government only matters insofar as it affects the well-being of its people.
In any case, long term infrastructure and public-works style programs have a hugely higher return on investment than tax cuts in the longer term. It’s that “crucifix in piss” funding that led in large part to our cultural and technological sway over the world, the universities and learning that are “accessible to all.”
45. Freddie | 01.29.09
It was 11 Blue Dog Dems that voted with the Republicans, not 8.
Boyd - FL
Bright - AL
Cooper - TN
Ellsworth - IN
Griffith - AL
Kanjorski - PA
Kratovil - MD
Minnick - ID
Peterson - MN
Shuler - NC
Taylor - MS
46. Elizabeth Tang | 01.29.09
The Republican “No” vote is just a new type of hedge fund. Hoping Rush Limbaugh is right, they want to hedge their bets so they can brag they voted against the stimulus plan if it fails. Their recommendations are just recycled actions of the George W. Bush administration - and we know how well that worked!
47. Robert | 01.29.09
Dunots speaks the truth, I think. Particularly about public works projects having a longer-lasting effect than tax cuts.
With tax cuts, although they can provide immediate benefits to the economy (though I feel that people have gotten rather cynical about tax cuts, and as such it’s likely that they won’t have much effect), their boost is very short term. Once the tax cuts go away, so does the benefit. Or worse, the benefit goes away, and the tax cuts remain.
Public works projects, on the other hand, provide a lasting benefit. A lot of the projects instituted by FDR are still providing benefit to people to day, and it greatly improves our infrastructure. Additionally , it creates jobs immediately, rather than as a tertiary effect (with tax cuts/refunds it goes: people get money, people spend money, businesses profit, businesses hire more people). People still won’t spend money if they’re unemployed, after all, even if they get a $500 check in the mail. They’ll save it.
As for the pork, yes, it’s there. Every bill has it, and both parties are equally guilty. I’m sure if you looked at bills passed during Bush’s presidency, you’d see plenty of pork as well.
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1. Bill | 01.29.09
The man in the background of this picture is rolling over in his grave right now.