(2009-02-04) Stimulus Bill Battle

Barack Obama's Economic Stimulus package isn't sailing easily into law.

A surprisingly unified GOP has taken control of the debate - and embarrassed Democrats - by highlighting controversial expenditures in the $819-billion bill passed last week by the Democratic-led House, such as funding for contraceptives and for new sod for the National Mall. Those items were stripped from the bill, but their presence in the debate put the White House on the defensive in pushing legislation that, not long ago, many Democrats had thought could be delivered to the new president within days, if not hours, of his taking office Jan. 20... A Gallup survey released Tuesday showed the challenge facing Obama, and suggested that GOP attacks have had an effect. Whereas three-quarters of Americans surveyed said they supported passage of some version of the Obama-backed stimulus plan, only 38% said they thought Congress should pass it "basically as Barack Obama has proposed it." About the same share, 37%, said it should be passed but only with "major changes."

(The bill passed in the House Of Representatives on Jan28. All but 11 Democrats voted for the plan, and 177 Republicans voted against it. The 244-to-188 vote came a day after Mr. Obama traveled to Capitol Hill to seek Republican backing, if not for the package then on other issues to come.)

Feb08: The US Senate has a different version of the bill, which hasn't passed yet. Here are the next steps.

Feb09: Paul Krugman thinks the current plans stink, and that Barack Obama screwed up by trying to aim for Bi Partisan support.

• Conversely, Arnold Kling thinks this is more of a Reparations bill than a Stimulus bill.

Dean Zerbe thinks Small Business isn't getting its share.

Feb14: the reconciled bill passed on Friday, and Barack Obama will sign it on Tuesday. Still no Republican support in the House; 3 Senators: SusanCollins and Olympia Snowe of Maine and Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania. Specter's price was a huge increase in NIH funding. Here's a look at what's in the final bill. I can't believe we're giving a Subsidy for buying a new AutoMobile; and Highways and bridges will get the biggest share (of Infrastructure portion), $29 billion.