Obama’s Stimulus Plan Passes Senate

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama‘s economic recovery plan has passed the Senate and is on its way to difficult House-Senate negotiations.

Just three Republicans helped pass the plan on a 61-37 vote and they’re already signaling they’ll play hardball to preserve more than $108 billion in spending cuts made last week in Senate dealmaking. Obama wants to restore cuts in funds for school construction jobs and help for cash-starved states.

Those cuts are among the major differences between the $819 billion House version of Obama’s plan and a Senate bill costing $838 billion. Obama has warned of a deepening economic crisis if Congress fails to act. He wants a bill completed by the weekend.

The bill backed by the White House survived a key test vote in the Senate Monday despite strong Republican opposition, and Democratic leaders vowed to deliver legislation for President Barack Obama’s signature within a few days.

Monday’s vote was 61-36, one more than the 60 needed to advance the measure toward Senate passage on Tuesday. That in turn, will set the stage for possibly contentious negotiations with the House on a final compromise on legislation the president says is desperately needed to tackle the worst economic crisis in more than a generation.

SOURCE: The Huffington Post

The passage of this stimulus plan is going to be a hallmark of Obama’s presidency that will either make or break him when it comes time for re-election in 4 years.  A huge factor in Obama winning was his approach to getting the economy on track, and the public may not be very understanding if this plan doesn’t work.  Also, with the overwhelming lack of Republican support, if this plan fails the Repubs will jump all over it.

But what do you think?  Do you agree or disagree with Obama’s economic stimulus plan? How will this shape his presidency? And what happened to bipartisanship?  Hit me up to break it down.

—Travers