February 7, 2008
Posted: February 7th, 2008 02:30 PM ET

WASHINGTON (CNN) - Senate Democrats have agreed to scale back their economic stimulus package in order to pick up Republican support for the measure which had stalled over GOP concerns the bill was too big and loaded with special interest provisions. Final congressional approval could come as early as Thursday officials said,clearing the way for rebate checks to be sent to millions of Americans this spring.

Democrats will drop demands for an extension of unemployment benefits, energy assistance for low-income households, and a series of tax breaks for energy providers. But they will include provisions supported by Republicans, including rebate checks for low-income Social Security recipients and disabled veterans and their widows as well as language designed to prevent illegal immigrants from getting rebates.

Those provisions will be added to the House-passed stimulus bill which, in addition to providing rebate checks, gives tax breaks to businesses designed to spur spending.

Precise details of the size of the rebate checks and the income caps were not immediately available.

–CNN's Ted Barrett and Brianna Keilar

Filed under: Congress


RightyTighty   February 8th, 2008 10:47 am ET

Congradulations again on that last congressional win dems..

Ha Ha!!

Veronica Ward   February 8th, 2008 10:31 am ET

Why won't Hillary release her tax returns? Obama has released his 2006 and 2007 tax returns and Hillary says she won't release hers until she wins the democratic nomination. I thinks that sounds fishy. Why isn't anyone say anything about this? Obama does what he says he's going to do. Clinton is hiding something.

Brian   February 7th, 2008 8:13 pm ET

"This should open everyone's eyes to the fact that Congress really controls this country, regardless of promises made by, and good intentions of, our presidential candidates.
If you think that either Clinton or Obama are going to be able to keep all of their campaign promises, then you are delusional.
That's why it's so important to have someone elected who KNOWS Congress, and is familiar with the international landscape.
Hillary is that person."

See not the "Change" candidate. Same old.... Same old...Same old. 15 + years she has been in Washington. With opinions like this why not just abolish elections and let the Bush and Clinton alternate the White House every 8 years? Hail to the Royal family Clintonites...... bow down to your queen!

Connie   February 7th, 2008 7:04 pm ET

It is important to elect somebody who can bring people together. We don't want back room deals but compromise. Obama is the one to do this. I haven't seen anyone since John Kennedy who inspires people like he does.

vm   February 7th, 2008 3:38 pm ET

...and the looting and selling out of the taxpayers continues...all except the top 5% 'taxpayers'.

suzy   February 7th, 2008 3:34 pm ET

This should open everyone's eyes to the fact that Congress really controls this country, regardless of promises made by, and good intentions of, our presidential candidates.
If you think that either Clinton or Obama are going to be able to keep all of their campaign promises, then you are delusional.
That's why it's so important to have someone elected who KNOWS Congress, and is familiar with the international landscape.
Hillary is that person.

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