Pelosi steers stimulus to all-Democratic panel

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Pelosi steers stimulus to all-Democratic panel
By Jared Allen
Posted: 12/31/08 02:30 PM


House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is giving a committee consisting only of Democrats first crack at the yet-to-be-put-together economic stimulus package.

The Steering and Policy Committee, which is co-chaired by two Democrats close to Pelosi, will hold the first hearing on a stimulus when Congress convenes next week, Pelosi announced. No Republicans sit on the panel.

The non-legislative committee — which does not mark up legislation and holds few hearings — will meet on Wednesday, Jan. 7, to consider “the state of the economy and the need for a comprehensive jobs and economic recovery package,” according to Steering and Policy co-chairmen George Miller (D-Calif.) and Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.).

“This hearing will build upon the stimulus package the House passed in September and the numerous hearings held by our other committees, to ensure we make the necessary investments in an innovative and bold way to strengthen the economy,” Pelosi said in a statement announcing the move.

Pelosi and congressional Democrats have committed to crafting a stimulus bill ahead of President-elect Obama’s swearing-in on Jan. 20. Democrats want the massive economic stimulus and jobs bill — which could be as much as $800 billion — on Obama’s desk the day he takes office, and have been working behind the scenes for weeks on the bill’s particulars.

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http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/pelosi-steers-stimulus-to-all-democratic-panel-2008-12-31.html

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