Senate Republicans block add-ons to stimulus plan
By Democrat-Gazette Press Services
This article was published February 7, 2008 at 6:00 a.m.
Do you blame Democrats for loading the stimulus bill or Republicans for rejecting the add-ons?
- Republicans 50% 3 votes
- Democrats 50% 3 votes
- Don't want it to pass anyway. 0% 0 votes
6 total votes.
WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats failed Wednesday to add $44 billion in help for the elderly, disabled veterans, the unemployed and big business to the House-passed economic aid package.
Enough Republicans banded together to block the $205 billion plan from advancing Wednesday, leaving Democrats with a difficult choice either to quickly accept a House bill they have said is inadequate or risk being blamed for delaying a measure designed as a swift shot in the arm for the lagging economy.
The tally was 58-41 to end debate on the Senate measure, just short of the 60 votes that Democrats - including Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor of Arkansas - would have needed to scale procedural hurdles and move the bill to a final vote.
For more information see today's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
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