Thread: Republican Defectors Facing Backlash for Stimulus Support

Republican Defectors Facing Backlash For Stimulus Support

Sunday, February 8, 2009 7:39 PM
By: Tim Collie

The three Republican senators supporting President Barack Obama’s $827 billion stimulus bill are drawing the wrath of many conservatives who say the massive spending in the plan could tip the country into depression.

Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe of Maine, and Pennsylvania's Sen. Arlen Specter were lambasted on conservative Web sites throughout the weekend, and were the subjects of angry calls by many of their constituents, according to reports.

“Arlen Specter is DONE,â€

Maybe we should start calling the Stimilus bill what it is, the Collins, Snowe and Specter Bill.

Dixie

Specter said Friday night that the agreement wasn't perfect but it was necessary.

I have heard so many members of the House and Senate make this comment, but as far as I'm concerned, IT SHOULD BE PERFECT!!!

If not perfect, at least necessary. There's nothing in this bill besides the increased funding for unemployment benefits that is necessary.

Here's a good breakdown of the bill:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_R ... ct_of_2009

Provisions of the House bill

When unveiled by House Democratic leaders the bill included some $550 billion in domestic spending and $275 billion in tax cuts, for a total of $825 billion; when it passed in the House this had been reduced to $819 billion.[7] The $819 billion plan comprises:[8]

Tax cuts ($275 billion)

*
o Payroll tax cuts ($500 for each individual, $1000 for couples)
o $2500 tax credit for higher education
o $7500 non-repayable tax credit for first-time home buyers (for houses bought until July 1)

Education investments ($141.6 billion)

*
o $79 billion in state fiscal relief to prevent cutbacks to key services, including $39 billion to local school districts and public colleges and universities distributed through existing state and federal formulas, $15 billion to states as bonus grants as a reward for meeting key performance measures, and $25 billion to states for other high priority needs such as public safety and other critical services, which may include education
o $41 billion to local school districts through Title I ($13 billion), IDEA ($13 billion), a new School Modernization and Repair Program ($14 billion), and the Education Technology program ($1 billion)
o $15.6 billion to increase the Pell Grant by $500
o $6 billion for higher education modernization

Health care investments ($112.1 billion)

*
o $87 billion for a temporary increase in the Medicaid matching rate for the states
o $20 billion for health information technology, including electronic medical records to prevent medical mistakes, provide better care to patients and introduce cost-saving efficiencies
o $4.1 billion to provide for preventative care and to evaluate the most effective healthcare treatments.

Welfare/unemployment ($102 billion)

*
o $43 billion for unemployment benefits and job training
o $39 billion for short-term Medicaid insurance and Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) subsidy
o $20 billion for the Food Stamp Program

Infrastructure investments ($90 billion)

*
o $31 billion to modernize federal and other public infrastructure with investments that lead to long-term energy cost savings
o $30 billion for highway construction
o $19 billion for clean water, flood control, and environmental restoration investments
o $10 billion for transit and rail to reduce traffic congestion and gas consumption

Energy investments ($58 billion)

*
o $32 billion funding for an electric smart grid
o $20 billion for renewable energy tax cuts
o $6 billion for weatherizing modest-income homes

Telecommunications investments ($3.85 Billion)

*
o $650 million for Digital TV-to-analog converter box coupons and Digital TV education.
o $350 million for a broadband data collection effort to allow states to track--and specifically, map--the availability of broadband access
o $2.85 billion to implement a wireless and broadband deployment grants program, with $1 billion of that set going to wireless.[9]

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There is no economic stimulus at all. What's worse, US companies aren't guaranteed the contracts and US citizens aren't guaranteed the jobs.