Reid Fails On Stimulus Gamble..Republicans Reject His $44 billion Add Ons
The purpose of the ridiculous bill was to stimulate the economy. Get money back to the people so that they will go out and spend it. Follow closely:
The fate of $600-$1,200 rebate checks for more than 100 million Americans is in limbo after 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.
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 Democrats would have needed to scale procedural hurdles and move the bill to a final vote….
….Republican leaders objected to add-ons such as a $14.5 billion unemployment extension for those whose benefits have run out, $1 billion in heating aid for the poor and tax breaks for renewable energy producers and coal companies. The measure builds upon a $161 billion House-passed bill providing $600-$1,200 checks to most taxpayers and tax breaks to businesses investing in new plants and equipment. The Senate version would provide checks of $500-$1,000 to a broader group that includes 20 million elderly people, 250,000 disabled veterans and taxpayers making up to $150,000 for singles - or $300,000 for couples. It would extend unemployment benefits for an additional 13 weeks for those whose benefits have run out, with 13 more weeks available in states with the highest jobless rates. The bill also includes $10 billion in tax-free mortgage revenue bonds to help homeowners refinance subprime loans.
Reid denied Republicans an opportunity to offer changes to the measure, provoking the filibuster. The calculus was that enough Republicans would relent in the face of political pressure to support unemployment insurance and heating aid to join Democrats and force the measure through.
So, we give huge heating cost discounts and a check so that the beneficiary can go out, blow the money on non-essential items, not bank the money for future heating bills, all so that we can be tapped again to pay their bills..Do I have that right?
Michelle notes that McCain was a no show on the vote!
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February 6, 2008 - 10:21 PM on February 6th, 2008
Need 4 or 5 more Democratic senators.
Well, this upcoming congressional election should solve that problem…
February 7, 2008 - 01:05 AM on February 7th, 2008
McCain missed a vote? Say it ain’t so… LOL The only good thing about having him for my senator is that he’s so busy trying to become President that he misses over 50% of the votes. The bad part is that when he does show up he tends to pick the side exactly opposite of his constituents. Perhaps having him in the White house would have one upside. We’d finally be able to elect a real Republican instead of this rampaging rino.
February 7, 2008 - 07:11 AM on February 7th, 2008
1, Yeah, with a number of Defeatocrats being DEFEATED!!!!
February 7, 2008 - 08:57 PM on February 7th, 2008
Looks like the Senate Dems were able to deliver on this thing, after all.
A political victory for Democrats, for sure. (!)
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/07/congress.economy/index.html
February 7, 2008 - 09:25 PM on February 7th, 2008
SFL still a babbling liberal still supporting SCARY HARRY REID
February 7, 2008 - 09:42 PM on February 7th, 2008
Victory?
He went along with the Republicans proposal..as usual!
But anyway you look at it, this is ridiculous!
February 8, 2008 - 08:30 PM on February 8th, 2008
Victory.
It was give and take, but they came out on top in the end; adding to the house bill and getting at least some of what they wanted…
February 9, 2008 - 06:39 PM on February 9th, 2008
SFL,HARRY REID,A TURKEY guess who is more intellegent