Senate passes Obama's economic recovery plan

[onehandle]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama's economic recovery plan has passed the Senate and is on its way to difficult House-Senate negotiations.

Just three Republicans helped pass the plan on a 61-37 vote and they're already signaling they'll play hardball to preserve more than $108 billion in spending cuts made last week in Senate dealmaking. Obama wants to restore cuts in funds for school construction jobs and help for cash-starved states.

Those cuts are among the major differences between the $819 billion House version of Obama's plan and a Senate bill costing $838 billion. Obama has warned of a deepening economic crisis if Congress fails to act. He wants a bill completed by the weekend.

The bill backed by the White House survived a key test vote in the Senate Monday despite strong Republican opposition, and Democratic leaders vowed to deliver legislation for President Barack Obama's signature within a few days.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/congress_stimulus

[county worker]

1. So if Obama adds what he wants what was all the huffing and puffing by the right for?

The republican gas bags really didn't appear to help their cause much.

[bac511]

2. so...

how is this going to affect us middle-class homeowners with kids??? Will we see any of this stimulus?

[ElsewheresDaughter]

3. Obama targeted $50B from the new TARP for that purpose

[karynnj]

16. For things that specifically help you, look at the summaries

because no one can say exactly which might apply to someone in that broad class. There are somethings that are more general - your state may will get money - which means the class size for your kids will be smaller, if you lose your job, unemployment insurance will be there longer and you will get a medicare where the COBRA cost is subsidized. The roads and mass transit will be better than they would otherwise be.

But, ignoring the details - it is this stark - if this didn't happen the economy will likely spiral downward and even if you are charmed and protected from this, what happens to your town? The quality of your own life will be harmed by the people less fortunate.

[sabra]

4. Senate passes $838 billion stimulus bill

Source: MSNBC/AP

Democratic leaders vow to deliver legislation to president within days

President Barack Obama's economic recovery plan has passed the Senate and is on its way to difficult House-Senate negotiations.

Just three Republicans helped pass the plan on a 61-37 vote and they're already signaling they'll play hardball to preserve more than $108 billion in spending cuts made last week in Senate dealmaking. Obama wants to restore cuts in funds for school construction jobs and help for cash-starved states.

Those cuts are among the major differences between the $819 billion House version of Obama's plan and a Senate bill costing $838 billion. Obama has warned of a deepening economic crisis if Congress fails to act. He wants a bill completed by the weekend.

The bill backed by the White House survived a key test vote in the Senate Monday despite strong Republican opposition, and Democratic leaders vowed to deliver legislation for President Barack Obama's signature within a few days.

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29119293/

[tclambert]

5. 61 plus 37 is 98. Who didn't vote? Al Franken would be one,

because Minnesota is still searching the sofa cushions for votes. Who's the other? I heard Kennedy came out of the hospital for this vote.

[stevedeshazer]

6. Ted Kennedy?

Not sure.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

8. kennedy showed up with fucking cancer whereas cornyn couldnt show up

cos he had a party in nyc to go to.

[Earth Bound Misfit]

9. Cornyn found...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=3731348&mesg_id=3731356

Glenn Thrush says the question from the Senate floor this evening was "where was Cornyn," as the Texas Republican was the only senator to miss the crucial cloture vote on the stimulus package.

The answer: He was at a New York gathering of prominent media conservatives and Wall Street Republican donors called the Monday Meeting, held at the Grand Hyatt hotel in Midtown Manhattan.

Though not a fundraiser, the meeting is a hub of conservative money and buzz, a good place for Cornyn to tap into resources in his role as chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee.

The meetings are off-the-record, but a source there emails me that Cornyn -- who was billed as speaking about the 2010 senate races -- took some pokes at Democratic leaders, saying that "Nancy Pelosi drives the train" and describing Chuck Schumer as a "human vacuum cleaner."

If there's a crowd open to the argument that FDR's New Deal was a big mistake, this is the one.

Cornyn spoke at the end of the meeting and was, I'm told, received warmly. :puke:

[daggahead]

11. Wow! It must have been a "pocket-stuffin" party he attended. n/t

[Earth Bound Misfit]

12. "Let them eat Cake" said Cornyn

as the adoring throngs threw wads of cash.

Wonder if he flew coach.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

7. cornyn

[karynnj]

17. Gregg - who thinks he shouldn't given that he is nominated for Commerce Secretary

[daggahead]

10. Imagine what the Repukes would do if ...

President Obama uses signing statements to make the stimulus package more to his liking?

Oh my. You see them all going "Zell Miller" on the talking head shows on Sunday.

[Earth Bound Misfit]

13. ...

:popcorn:

[2Design]

14. They did not pass his plan - they passed a water down republican

plan - now the house and obama need to get it back to the real plan

[MrPerson]

15. YAY SENATE!!!!!!!!!!