House panel passes economic rescue plan

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http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090122/pl_nm/us_usa_congress_stimulus_3

A House of Representatives panel on Wednesday backed a $358 billion package of new government spending, the first key test for a massive Democratic plan aimed at boosting the ailing U.S. economy.

The House Appropriations Committee voted 35-22 to approve the spending, part of an $825 billion package President Barack Obama has sought to help the economy, which has been in a recession since December, 2007.

The tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee and House Energy and Commerce Committee are scheduled to consider their portions of the stimulus package on Thursday.