Democrats OK Obama’s stimulus bill

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama's bid to spark the flagging economy through a combination of tax cuts and infusions of federal spending passed its first major test in Congress last week.

The House voted 244-188 for an $819 billion economic stimulus bill with the aim of creating or saving 3 million to 4 million jobs and encouraging movement in the stagnant economy.

The vote was overwhelmingly partisan, with all but 11 Democrats voting for it.

No Republican voted for the bill after party leaders complained its job creation incentives were inadequate and billions of dollars in spending were largely misdirected.

The bill contains $275 billion in tax cuts, with a centerpiece being a credit of up to $500 for individuals and $1,000 for couples.

It also has $526.5 billion in new spending on a wide range of programs, including assistance to embattled state and local governments, money for road building and infrastructure, and additional funds for workers who are unemployed.

Reps. Shelley Berkley and Dina Titus, both D-Nev., voted for the bill. Rep. Dean Heller, R-Nev., voted against it.

The Senate is expected to consider its own stimulus bill this week.

WAGE DISCRIMINATION MEASURE FINALIZED

The House finalized a bill that would make it easier for workers to sue employers if they believe they have been victimized by wage discrimination.

The bill was passed 250-177, and sent to Obama, who signed it into law on Thursday.

The new law reverses a 2007 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that set a high bar for workers to be able successfully to file pay equity claims.

Supporters said it was a big step toward fairness in the workplace. Critics said it would put employers on the defensive, increase the number of frivolous lawsuits and help few people besides plaintiff lawyers.

Berkley and Titus voted for the bill. Heller voted against it.

SENATE EXPANDS HEALTH INSURANCE FOR CHILDREN

The Senate voted 66-32 to extend and expand federal funding to help states offer health insurance to children.

The bill would renew the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) for 41/2 years, and would enable enrollment of an additional 4.1 million children. The program aims to insure children from families that are not poor enough to qualify for Medicaid but who can't afford private coverage.

The expansion would cost $32.8 billion, a sum that would be paid for by increasing the tax on cigarettes from 38 cents to $1 a pack.

Supporters, mostly Democrats, called it the first step toward President Obama's goal of enabling health insurance for all Americans. Even with the new expansion, several million children are expected to remain uncovered.

Republican critics had several objections. They said the bill would "crowd out" the market for health insurance by allowing some states to enroll children from families who clearly could afford private coverage.

Republicans also protested the bill because it would waive a requirement that children from legal immigrant families must wait five years to participate. Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, said the sponsors of legal immigrants already are required to provide them health insurance, and the new bill will invite abuse.

Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., voted to expand SCHIP. Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., voted against expansion.

The bill is headed to a House-Senate conference.

The Senate defeated a number of Republican amendments, including an alternative by Sen. Mitch McConnell, the GOP leader from Kentucky.

McConnell's amendment would have expanded SCHIP to add 3.6 million participants, but he said with provisions to prevent private plans from being crowded out and to limit states from enrolling family members other than children and pregnant women.

Ensign voted for the Republican alternative. Reid voted against it

REPUBLICANS FAIL IN EFFORT TO OVERTURN OBAMA ORDER

Republicans failed to reverse one of the first executive orders issued by Obama.

Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla., proposed to reinstate a policy that prohibits U.S. aid from going to any foreign organization that promotes abortion for family planning.

The policy has been favored by Republican presidents and reversed by Democrats. President Ronald Reagan put the policy in place. Then it was reversed by President Bill Clinton. President George W. Bush restored it, and Obama reversed it last week.

"This policy is about ensuring that family planning funds are given to organizations dedicated to reducing abortions, instead of promoting them," Martinez said in proposing his amendment.

But Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., said the regulation amounted to a "gag rule" on family planning organizations.

"If this was done in this country, it would be unconstitutional on its face," Boxer said, adding that "thousands" of women are unable to get reproductive health care because of the restrictions on their providers.

The Martinez amendment was killed, 37-60. Ensign voted for it. Reid voted against it.

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