House passes $819 billion stimulus

House passes $819 billion stimulus The House on Wednesday passed a $819 billion economic stimulus bill by a vote of 244 to 188, without any Republican support.
   The package was slightly less than the original $825 billion proposed by Democrats earlier this month.
   The Senate is likely to vote on its portion of the bill next week.
   Representatives approved an amendment by Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman James Oberstar to compress the timelines for states and transit agencies to commit to projects funded under the bill. The Oberstar amendment shortens the time for committing half of funds from 180 days to 90 days in most cases in order to issue contracts and create jobs faster. The measure is intended to counter critics who say infrastructure projects have too much start-up time to provide any short-term economic stimulus.

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   The House also added $3 billion for funding transit projects, up from $9 billion. Oberstar’s committee had previously recommended $12 billion for transit.
   Despite extensive outreach by President Barack Obama to Republicans and inclusion of extra tax cuts in the legislation, no Republican voted for the stimulus bill. Republicans have criticized the spending levels in the measure, saying money is being wasted on programs that won’t create jobs and will add to the nation’s huge debt load, while seeking greater tax cuts.
   Obama met on Wednesday with a dozen prominent CEOs to push for his plan. ' Eric Kulisch