Senators want to alter stimulus

“We all owe it to give our very best and write a package that meets the tests of temporary, timely, and targeted,” he said.

While some Democrats describe new health and education spending in the bill as a “down payment,” others insist that this spending is not intended to be permanent.

“Increases for programs as varied as food stamps, loan guarantees, and education, for example, are being made available with the clear understanding that the level of resources provided in this measure are to respond to this crisis and will not be sustained in the future,” said Sen. Daniel Inouye (D) of Hawaii, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, at a hearing on the bill on Jan. 27.

Other Democrats want to see the balance in the stimulus plan shifted toward more spending on infrastructure.

“Some stimulus is clearly more stimulus than other,” said Sen. Ben Nelson (D) of Nebraska, who also saids he could not support the bill in its current form.

“If you look at our problem as an urgent need to provide jobs and a long-term need not to sink the country fiscally, the thing that meets both those needs best are ... infrastructure projects,” says Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D) of Rhode Island.

“When you lay out the money, in addition to getting the jobs, you get also the hard asset you’re left with – the new highway, or the new bridge, or the repaired sewage treatment facility,” he adds.

A bid for broad support
In a bid to encourage a bipartisan vote, Senate Democrats have promised an open amendment process this week – a sharp break from the way both Democrat and Republicans used majority powers in the last few Congresses.

“I am confident that by the time we actually have the final package on the floor that we are going to see substantial support,” said Mr. Obama in an interview with NBC News on Sunday.

He added that he would urge Congress to cut elements of the bill that don’t contribute to “putting people back to work right now.”

Citing the president’s comments, Republicans this week say they’re hoping that Democratic leaders will get in line with the president’s priorities.

With the current balance of seats in the Senate, Republicans can’t expect that they’re going to win all or even many of their amendments, said McConnell in the briefing on Monday, adding, “But there is considerable Democratic senatorial unrest on this package.”

“We have a bill that was worked out with the House and Senate and the White House,” said Jim Manley, a spokesman for Senate majority leader Harry Reid. He adds that if people have suggestions on how to change it, Senator Reid has said he was open to them.

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