Congress passes $787 billion stimulus

WASHINGTON -- Heeding a call from President Barack Obama, Congress last week sent to the White House a $787 billion bill combining a broad range of tax breaks and fresh federal spending to create jobs and respond to the nation's economic crisis.

Supporters, mostly Democrats, said a bold move was a necessary response to the recession, even as the bill was scaled back more than $100 billion in order to win enough Republican votes to ensure passage.

Critics cringed at the size and scope of the bill, which measured eight inches thick and contained 1,071 pages. They declared the measure needed more tax cuts and cited spending that will not meet the goals set out by the president to create or save jobs.

Debate over the stimulus dominated official Washington as lawmakers raced to meet a Monday self-set deadline for Obama to sign the bill into law.

Once the bill was finished, Congress left for an already scheduled weeklong recess.

The House voted 246-183 for the bill, with no Republicans voting for it. Reps. Shelley Berkley and Dina Titus, both D-Nev., voted for the bill. Rep. Dean Heller, R-Nev., voted against it.

The bill passed the Senate, 60 to 38. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., voted for it. Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., voted against it.

While they were scaled back in the final measure, payroll tax credits, the centerpiece of the bill, will be offered to working Americans in 2009 and 2010: $400 for individuals making up to $75,000, and $800 for couples earning up to $150,000.

Overall, the bill contains $280 billion in tax cuts that aim to reduce taxes for parents with children in college, low-income families, first time home buyers, purchasers of new cars, homeowners who install energy-saving devices, money-losing small businesses and companies that invest in new equipment.

The bill provides another $311 billion in spending for a range of government programs including highways and bridge repairs, health investments, education and training, energy, and local law enforcement.

States that are struggling to balance their budgets would receive $54 billion to spend on education and other needs.

The bill also increases unemployment benefits and allocates additional funding for food stamps.

It also will send a one-time $250 payment to Social Security recipients and disabled veterans.

Contact Stephens Washington Bureau Chief Steve Tetreault at stetreault@stephensmedia.com or 202-783-1760.