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http://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/economy_stimulus/2008/02/06/70715.html
Republicans Join to Block Stimulus Bill
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
WASHINGTON -- 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. In a suspenseful showdown vote that capped days of
partisan infighting and procedural jockeying, eight Republicans _ four of
them up for re-election this year _ joined Democrats to back the plan,
bucking GOP leaders and President Bush, who objected to the costly add-ons.
Democrats choreographed the vote for maximum political advantage, presenting
their aid proposal as a take-it-or-leave-it proposition for Republicans and
calling back their presidential candidates to make a show of party unity
behind their stimulus plan. They calculated that Republicans would pay a
steep price for opposing rebates for older Americans and disabled veterans,
as well as heating aid for the poor, unemployment benefits and a much larger
collection of business tax breaks than the House approved.
"There was a chance on the table to help low-income seniors and disabled
veterans and Americans looking for work, and the Senate frankly blew it
tonight," Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., said in a statement after the vote.
Republicans, though, said they were ready to accept rebates for seniors and
disabled veterans and accused Democrats of delaying the stimulus plan for
political gain and loading it down with special-interest extras.
"Our constituents will look at us as the folks that slowed it down (and)
added a bunch of spending to it," said Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona, the
Republican whip, who called the measure "a Christmas tree package."
Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton of New York and Barack
Obama of Illinois flew to Washington for the vote. GOP front-runner John
McCain of Arizona did not vote.
Supporters actually had 59 votes in favor of the Democratic proposal, but
Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada switched his vote to 'no' at the last
moment, a parliamentary move that allows him to bring the measure up for a
revote.
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.
GOP leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said he wants to amend the measure to add
rebates for disabled veterans and their widows and the elderly, and language
_ also included in the Democrats' package _ making clear that illegal
immigrants can't get rebate checks.
Reid rejected the offer _ at least for the time being _ but Republicans
seemed confident he would eventually agree to comparable changes since the
alternative would be to approve the House bill and leave retirees living on
Social Security and disabled veterans without rebate checks.
The climactic vote came after an intense lobbying effort by Democrats to
convert wavering Republicans, including those facing tough re-election
fights. Their efforts got a boost from outside groups leaning on senators to
back the package, including home builders, manufacturers and the powerful
seniors lobby.
Republicans were under enormous pressure from their own leaders not to
support the Democrats' plan. Working to stem defections, GOP leaders assured
their rank and file that they would have another chance to support adding
senior citizens and disabled veterans to the aid plan even if they opposed
the Democrats' bill.
That wasn't enough for Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M. who threw his support
behind the measure.
"I'm hopeful that I have chosen the right path," he said just before the
vote. "I made my decision on what was best for New Mexico and what's best
for America."
But other targets, such as Sen. John Sununu, R-N.H., stuck with McConnell.
Asked Tuesday whether the administration would accept adding rebates for the
elderly and disabled veterans to the stimulus measure, Treasury Secretary
Henry Paulson declined to say definitively, but he told the Finance
Committee, "I'm sure we'll be able to work something out and get something
quickly done that's broad-based."
The dispute has slowed down the stimulus measure, but there's no indication
that it will delay rebate checks, which are expected to begin arriving in
May. The rebates will be based on 2007 tax returns, which aren't due until
April 15.
Republicans Join to Block Stimulus Bill
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
WASHINGTON -- 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. In a suspenseful showdown vote that capped days of
partisan infighting and procedural jockeying, eight Republicans _ four of
them up for re-election this year _ joined Democrats to back the plan,
bucking GOP leaders and President Bush, who objected to the costly add-ons.
Democrats choreographed the vote for maximum political advantage, presenting
their aid proposal as a take-it-or-leave-it proposition for Republicans and
calling back their presidential candidates to make a show of party unity
behind their stimulus plan. They calculated that Republicans would pay a
steep price for opposing rebates for older Americans and disabled veterans,
as well as heating aid for the poor, unemployment benefits and a much larger
collection of business tax breaks than the House approved.
"There was a chance on the table to help low-income seniors and disabled
veterans and Americans looking for work, and the Senate frankly blew it
tonight," Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., said in a statement after the vote.
Republicans, though, said they were ready to accept rebates for seniors and
disabled veterans and accused Democrats of delaying the stimulus plan for
political gain and loading it down with special-interest extras.
"Our constituents will look at us as the folks that slowed it down (and)
added a bunch of spending to it," said Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona, the
Republican whip, who called the measure "a Christmas tree package."
Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton of New York and Barack
Obama of Illinois flew to Washington for the vote. GOP front-runner John
McCain of Arizona did not vote.
Supporters actually had 59 votes in favor of the Democratic proposal, but
Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada switched his vote to 'no' at the last
moment, a parliamentary move that allows him to bring the measure up for a
revote.
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.
GOP leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said he wants to amend the measure to add
rebates for disabled veterans and their widows and the elderly, and language
_ also included in the Democrats' package _ making clear that illegal
immigrants can't get rebate checks.
Reid rejected the offer _ at least for the time being _ but Republicans
seemed confident he would eventually agree to comparable changes since the
alternative would be to approve the House bill and leave retirees living on
Social Security and disabled veterans without rebate checks.
The climactic vote came after an intense lobbying effort by Democrats to
convert wavering Republicans, including those facing tough re-election
fights. Their efforts got a boost from outside groups leaning on senators to
back the package, including home builders, manufacturers and the powerful
seniors lobby.
Republicans were under enormous pressure from their own leaders not to
support the Democrats' plan. Working to stem defections, GOP leaders assured
their rank and file that they would have another chance to support adding
senior citizens and disabled veterans to the aid plan even if they opposed
the Democrats' bill.
That wasn't enough for Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M. who threw his support
behind the measure.
"I'm hopeful that I have chosen the right path," he said just before the
vote. "I made my decision on what was best for New Mexico and what's best
for America."
But other targets, such as Sen. John Sununu, R-N.H., stuck with McConnell.
Asked Tuesday whether the administration would accept adding rebates for the
elderly and disabled veterans to the stimulus measure, Treasury Secretary
Henry Paulson declined to say definitively, but he told the Finance
Committee, "I'm sure we'll be able to work something out and get something
quickly done that's broad-based."
The dispute has slowed down the stimulus measure, but there's no indication
that it will delay rebate checks, which are expected to begin arriving in
May. The rebates will be based on 2007 tax returns, which aren't due until
April 15.
