February 11th, 2009
04:42 PM ET
14 years ago

Holdup in stimulus talks means no deal just yet

[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/02/11/art.pelosi3.gi.jpg caption="Pelosi and Reid are discussing the stimulus compromise."]WASHINGTON (CNN) -Despite talk of a deal, the stimulus saga isn't over - a deal has not been reached. CNN can confirm that Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid is in Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office at this hour, trying to persuade her to agree.

Senate Democratic leadership aides say the holdup concerns the addition of $10 billion for school construction/modernization. In the Senate version, $10 billion was added to the $44 billion allocated toward 'state stabilization' to help school infrastructure.

But aides say House members would rather this $10 billion in funding go through Title I, which would assign the funds based on need, as opposed to giving the money to governors through the state stabilization vehicle.

Nadeam Elshami, a spokesman for Speaker Nancy Pelosi, says that a meeting is currently underway in the Speaker's office with House Democratic leadership, Senate representatives and White House representatives.

"We're moving very rapidly to making an announcement on a deal," said Elshami.


Filed under: Congress • stimulus plan