Republican Leaders Argue Against Obama Stimulus Plan

by Rob Walker | February 3, 2009 at 12:42 pm

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Republican leaders argued against President Barack Obama's stimulus bill, saying it was too costly and would not do enough to improve jobs. Obama says the legislation is designed to help prop up a faltering economy which will stem job losses and bolster the country's green energy and technology sectors.

Though Obama has held meetings with Republican senators and congressmen, they say that congressional Democrats have rejected their input. Last week, no Republican congressman voted for the House version of the bill.

Republicans do not have the votes to derail the bill altogether, but could use procedural tactics to win concessions. Obama has said he hopes the bill will reach his desk mid-February.

New details were released today about the plan, which would see more than 800,000 new jobs in 10 eastern states.

The White House says its economic stimulus plan would create more than 800,000 new jobs in 10 Eastern states.

Obama is working hard to convince Republicans to support his legislation, but the GOP wants changes made to infrastructure and job funding. Some Democrats joined them in callin for a reduction of the bill.

A group of centrist Democrats is emerging as a potential force to reshape the bailout package by teaming up with moderate Republicans to reduce the overall cost of the bill and funnel more money to rebuilding the nation's infrastructure.

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