Republican Sen. McConnell Holds Economic Stimulus Hostage As Senate Brawls Over FISA
Reid Tries to Pressure G.O.P. for $159 Billion Stimulus Bill
The majority leader, Senator Harry Reid of
Mr. Reid seemed to drop a plan that he and other Democratic leaders laid out last week, when they said they would seek a series of votes on the rival packages, with the last one on the House bill with the desired changes.
The Republican leader, Senator Mitch McConnell of
The surveillance program is unpopular with many Democrats and the primary elections on Tuesday give Mr. Reid a chance to pass the legislation with reduced public attention.
As Mr. Reid and Mr. McConnell traded recriminations on the Senate floor, a testy debate erupted among several senators, including Jon Kyl, Republican of Arizona, and Barbara Boxer, Democrat of California.
Mr. Kyl accused the Democrats of trying to force the Republicans’ vote without letting them read the latest bill. Mr. Reid accused Republican leaders of stalling out of fear of losing the vote. S.2248 vs H.R.5140
The rancor in the Senate was a striking contrast with the bipartisan cooperation in the House, where Democrats, Republicans and the Bush administration quickly hashed out a stimulus deal.
Both the Senate and House plans include tax rebates or payments for individuals and tax incentives for businesses, all aimed at an increase in spending to help jolt the slowing economy.
The Senate plan would cost about $204 billion over two years, $40 billion more than the House plan. Senate Democrats said it included needed additions, including $10 billion to extend unemployment benefits.
An aide to Mr. Reid said worsening employment numbers released last week had convinced him that the bigger package was needed.
Republicans said some of the larger cost was for extraneous proposals, including more than $200 million in tax incentives for the coal industry sought by Senator John D. Rockefeller IV, Democrat of West Virginia.
The sharks are already circling …
Refinance With Tax Rebate
Here’s the catch, the government wants you to spend your rebate. Putting the money back into the economy is the catalyst to increased demand, which of course means more jobs, which of course means economic growth. The onset of a recession has pushed the Fed into early action in the hopes of nipping the problem in the proverbial bud.
So, there you have it. The welfare of the American pocket book has suffered from the antics of a president with taxpayer money to burn for almost eight years. The GOP, grasping at the last vestiges of a police state surveillance package, is holding taxpayer relief hostage. This is the glaring distinction between the far left and the far right wings of both parties. Homeland security is paid for by the trampled taxpayer. A centrist path should be the most attractive choice. But, NO! This is a dark circus that is hard to watch. Americans must be more responsible at the voting booth. This is what happens when you vote for a narrow social agenda. The ultimate compromise will not make anyone safer or happier. A delayed, watered down version of tax relief will be the result. Forget a June rebate mail out, maybe you’ll be able to buy some cheap fireworks, instead. 
At 4:15 PM on the Senate floor, Harry Reid begs a Republican to take the floor and bring the FISA Bill to a vote . Reid also announced that President Bush has already threatened to veto the bill that won’t be brought to the floor by his own party … At this rate there will be no Budget Vote or FISA Vote on Tuesday. Mitch McConnell finally agreed to have a debate on other bills. Super Tuesday has spoken!
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