Compromise Reached on 'Stimulus' Bill, $789 Billion

WASHINGTON (Catholic Online) - Senator Harry Reid seemed elated as he announced the compromise: "The middle ground we've reached creates more jobs than the original Senate bill and costs less than the original House bill".

Where was Senator Nancy Pelosi? No-one knows for sure which, as is the norm in the rarified Beltway air, has led to endless speculation concerning her feelings about the final result.

Senator Reid claimed that this bill will create 3.5 million jobs and that 1/3 of the Bill will be delivered in the form of tax cuts.

These "tax cuts" apply to Americans who will not pay taxes at all. They will apparently receive a credit.
There is an increase in unemployment benefits, food stamps and health coverage.

It is not yet known whether the controversial "health care czar", a topic much discussed in yesterday's news cycle, will be funded in the final compromise bill.

Nor is there any indication of the final results on the other point of controversy, the one which received so much negative international reaction, the "buy American" trade provisions tied to construction projects which receive funding through the process. Some indications are that it has been removed.

The compromise bill is expected to be swiftly approved by final vote in both chambers. The President is expected to sign it in the next few days.

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