Congress Passes $737B Economic Stimulus Bill

[Hissyspit]

Source: MSNBC

Congress passes $787B stimulus bill

Democrats hand Obama a victory in his effort to combat economic crisis

WASHINGTON - In a major victory for President Barack Obama, Democrats on Friday pushed through Congress a $787 billion stimulus bill aimed at rescuing the country from the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Republican opposition was nearly unanimous.

The Senate voted 60-38 Friday night for the package of tax cuts and federal spending that Obama made the centerpiece of his plan for economic recovery. The roll call was extended into the night to allow time for Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown to fly back from Ohio, where his mother died earlier in the week.

His was the decisive 60th vote for the bill, which had the support of just three GOP senators. Earlier, the measure passed the House 246-183, with no Republicans in favor. The president could sign the bill as early as next week, less than a month after taking office.

Supporters said the bill would save or create 3.5 million jobs. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer conceded there was no guarantee, but he said that "millions and millions and millions of people will be helped, as they have lost their jobs and can't put food on the table of their families." Vigorously disagreeing, House Republican leader John Boehner of Ohio dumped a copy of the 1,071-page bill to the floor in a gesture of contempt. "The bill that was about jobs, jobs, jobs has turned into a bill that's about spending, spending, spending," he said.

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29179041

[napi21]

1. Thank you Sen. Brown. I know it had to be very difficult for you, and

we really appreciate you going out of your way for us. Kudo's too to the 3 Pub Senators for thinking about the people instead of your Party!

[cal04]

2. Congress passes $787B stimulus bill

Democrats hand Obama a victory in his effort to combat economic crisis
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29179041/


In a major victory for President Barack Obama, Democrats on Friday pushed through Congress a $787 billion stimulus bill aimed at rescuing the country from the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Republican opposition was nearly unanimous.

The Senate voted 60-38 Friday night for the package of tax cuts and federal spending that Obama made the centerpiece of his plan for economic recovery. The roll call was extended into the night to allow time for Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown to fly back from Ohio, where his mother died earlier in the week.

His was the decisive 60th vote for the bill, which had the support of just three GOP senators.

[question everything]

23. I take it, then, that Gregg voted NO (nt)

[The Hope Mobile]

3. 60-38!! YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!! nt

[sledgehammer]

9. So who didn't vote?

C-Span says that the three Republicans (Collins, Specter, Snowe) voted for it. So that means 57 Dems voted for it.

Who was the 58th Dem who didn't vote?

[The Hope Mobile]

10. Ted Kennedy wasn't able to come back for a second vote. nt

[sledgehammer]

12. Thanks!!! n/t

[Hissyspit]

Kennedy.

I think he couldn't.

[Hissyspit]

11. Oops. Dupe. nt

[Jack Rabbit]

4. Musical Interlude

Please click here.

[Historic NY]

5. Thank You Senator Brown, your mother would be proud knowing you did your duty.

[OnyxCollie]

6. That's my Senator.

I'll have to send him another "Thank you" letter.

[Hissyspit]

7. Reid speaking on Senate floor thanks three Republicans who voted for the bill.

"I will never forget (valor) of the 3 Republicans who broke from the pack and stood alone" to serve the economic interests of our country.

[Cirque du So-What]

8. That's my Senator!

He's been a solid asset to the Buckeye State since his election.

[DBoon]

13. spending = jobs, Boehner.

That's what Keynes said about the last Great Depression

[msongs]

14. "...a gesture of contempt." by repub Boner - that ought to be in lots of TV ads ASAP

white racist republican fear of a black president is given, but such an insulting demonstration of the vileness of that Boner and his thugs is gross and disgusting. If I had the money I would use that act in a slew of TV ads along with the repubs spouting off about how they will be the American Taliban leading the charge to undermine, subvert, and destroy what the majority of Americans voted for.

then again, I'd rather do what's best than be liked by repubs.

nice to see the dems prevail on this issue.

Msongs

[Peace Patriot]

16. I missed it. What did Boner do? nt

[Peace Patriot]

15. Could someone tell why 60 votes were needed? The news report says that Brown's

was the "decisive" vote. Was a Puke filibuster threatened, and 60 votes might be needed for cloture? Some other procedural thing? Why weren't 51 votes sufficient?

[Hissyspit]

17. I believe 60 votes are needed for bills that make changes to the budget.

[Peace Patriot]

18. Thanks! nt

[pasto76]

20. 60 votes are required because it would increase the national deficiet

[seafan]

19. House: 246-183; Senate: 60-38 to send stimulus bill to Obama

And there were, again, NO Republican aye votes in the House. We have long memories, guys and gals.

.....

Vigorously disagreeing, House Republican leader John Boehner of Ohio dumped a copy of the 1,071-page bill to the floor in a gesture of contempt. "The bill that was about jobs, jobs, jobs has turned into a bill that's about spending, spending, spending," he said.

.....

Congress passes $787 billion stimulus bill, February 13, 2009

[leftofthedial]

21. good political victory

here's hoping it helps the country and sooner rather than later.

It's about time the democrats in congress did something!

[Historic NY]

22. Just remember to hammer home only 3 Republicans period supported this.

[Left Coast2020]

24. Bad Assets Relief Fund: BARF

Acronyms (by Paul Krugman)
I was going to dub the new financial plan TANF 2 — temporary assistance to needy financial institutions, without, you know, any of the means-testing or work requirements involved when poor people get help. But Jamie Galbraith (private communication) has trumped me; he says it’s the Bad Assets Relief Fund.
That’s B.A.R.F. :puke:

Full story on M-T-A: Make Them Accountable dot com

[The Brethren]

25. Thank you for the update.

Full text of the Stimulus Plan ("American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009"): Orig. House version -- http://appropriations.house.gov/pdf/RecoveryBill01-15-09.pdf , House spreadsheet -- http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=pV-c6t5fOVmNorqMpHvnCMw ; Senate version -- http://appropriations.senate.gov/News/2009_02_02_The_American_Recovery_and_Reinvestment_Act_of_2009.pdf ; and Senate compromise -- http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h111-1 , Text and $$$ details of Senate compromise -- http://appropriations.senate.gov/News/2009_02_08_UPDATED_Appropriations_Provisions_of_American_Recovery_and_Reinvestment_Act.pdf?CFID=4043629&CFTOKEN=40573040 in addition to -- http://readthestimulus.org/amdth1.pdf ; as well as -- http://www.readthestimulus.org/ .

[babylonsister]

26. Rock on, Prez Obama And Senator Brown! nt