Are House Democrats balking at stimulus bill agreement?

[babylonsister]

Are House Democrats balking at stimulus bill agreement?

By David Lightman | McClatchy Newspapers


Senators negotiating a final compromise economic stimulus package said the House of Representatives and Senate agreed Wednesday on a $789.5 billion package that scales back tax breaks for new car and home buyers while restoring some cuts in state education aid and health care.

But after the announcement, a joint conference committee meeting scheduled for 3 p.m. was postponed after House Democrats did not show up.

Senators said they still expected an agreement later Wednesday, and it was unclear that the agreement had run into difficulties. Senate staff members said the delay was merely to allow House members who had been expected to oppose some aspects of the Senate bill to express their feelings privately.

According to Senators Ben Nelson, D-Neb., and Susan Collins, R-Maine, key moderates who helped craft the agreement, the new bill includes $54 billion for education, less than $79 billion House members had wanted and more than the $39 billion senators approved.

The new bill has no money for school construction, increases to $90 billion the amount of money that would be sent to states to help pay Medicaid costs, and also increases to $49.6 billion the amount of money that would be devoted to infrastructure projects.

The total cost would be well below the measures passed by both the Senate, whose price tag was $838 billion, and House, at $819 billion.

more...

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/251/story/61963.html

[slinkerwink]

1. I hope so!

[bobbolink]

2. So... what else was cut??????

Low-income housing, no doubt!

:nuke:

[slinkerwink]

4. no money for school construction

[bobbolink]

7. And what else? There were more cuts than that.

Yet, we were told "it's not over.. have hope".

:nuke:

[UnrepentantUnitarian]

8. Maybe none for SC anyway.

After all, our gov Mark Sanford (R) here says we don't want the stimulus money. Meanwhile, remember that school that Pres. Obama was talking about...circa 1850's, by the railroad, etc.? Gov. Sanford, you don't speak for this state. Yes, we need the school money, not to mention the road money (caved-in and potholed roads everywhere = safety hazards), the rail and port improvement money, etc. Please, nobody listen to our governor! He's clueless.

[liberal N proud]

3. It sounds like they are pissed about Reid's quick announcement

He jumped the gun, the House members were looking over the deal when the Senators held the announcement.

[slinkerwink]

5. I bet it was on purpose

[liberal N proud]

6. It is Washington

Of course it was on purpose.

Weather it was to be the first to announce it or to try and guarantee the deal was sealed, either way it was a Washington power move.

[scheming daemons]

9. There's plenty of votes in the house to pass it....

Obama had a 30 vote cushion to work with.


The key was holding on the at least 2 of the Senate Repukes.

[babylonsister]

10. True, but maybe some of the House Dems don't like the final product.

The progressive caucus was none too pleased...

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/02/blue-dogs-get-the-white-house-access-but-progressives-arent-silent.php

[backscatter712]

11. Reid screwed up, but he screwed up in a way that something right might happen.

He again jumped the gun and said "WE HAVE A DEAL!!!111!1one" before a deal was made, but instead of stepping on the toes of Republicans and Blue Dogs who would demand more concessions, he stepped on the toes of Pelosi and the House, and they're demanding more school and state money before they sign off on the deal.

Nice to see that one of Reid's fuckups caused something good to happen for a change...