US Senate passes stimulus bill, sets up final talks

US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner (L) listens as Senate Banking Committee Chairman Senator Chris Dodd (R) offers an introduction to details of a financial stability plan at the US Treasury Building in Washington, DC. (AFP)

Published Tuesday, February 10, 2009

By Reuters

The US Senate voted to pass an $838 billion economic rescue plan on Tuesday, setting the stage for tough negotiations over the final size and scope of spending and tax cuts aimed at reversing the deep recession.

With scant Republican support, the Democratic-controlled Senate voted 61-37 to approve the package, which differs significantly from the $819 billion measure the House of Representatives passed almost two weeks ago.

President Barack Obama wants the final bill on his desk this weekend, meaning negotiators from both sides must begin haggling over what the final package will look like.

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