Senate Vote On Stimulus Expected

By: Tucker Reals
Topics: In The News

The Senate is expected to vote on the economic stimulus package Friday evening, Sen. Harry Reid announced Thursday. The vote was expected to begin at about 7:00 p.m. Eastern.

A 60-vote threshold is required to pass the legislation long-sought by President Obama.

Democrats pushing for the plan's passage now have the 60 votes they need, even without Sen. Ted Kennedy, who was not expected to attend the session. Fifty-seven Democrats are onboard, and three Republicans; Susan Collins, R-ME, Olympia Snowe, R-ME, and Arlen Specter, R-PA.

It is expected to be a very long vote because the Senate will wait for Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio, who will be returning from his home state where funeral proceedings are being held for his mother.

Tucker Reals
Tucker Reals is a senior news editor and overnight site editor for CBSNews.com, based at CBS News' London bureau.

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by fdodsworth February 14, 2009 2:28 AM EST: Why anyone with any moral fiber would remain a member of the filthy discredited Republican party is way beyond me.; Reply to this comment


by rmyurick February 13, 2009 4:55 PM EST: All spending is stimulus, by definition. "pork" is relative--one person''s "bridge to nowhere" is another person or community''s vital need.

Repeating "pork, pork, pork" doesn''t make it so (as with WMD).; Reply to this comment


by jimmyc1955 February 13, 2009 1:33 PM EST: You folks have got to stop fighting each other in these distracting red/blue arguments. While you fight each other politicians on both sides of the isle are blowing smoke up you az and spending your great grand childrens inheritance.

ALL OF US have been sold a bill of good. Told the economy will collapse if we don''t "stimulate" it now - we have no proof of that. This economy isn''t even as bad as the early 80s when we had unemployment over 10% and inflation nearing 12% a year.

I think we have been pushed to accept this *** before there are any details put out.; Reply to this comment


by jimmyc1955 February 13, 2009 1:29 PM EST: CaribouBarbi - You may be right - but there is nothing IN THIS BILL to correct the economy. NOTHING - read it. I have and it is pork, enviromental research and short term low benefit tax deductions.

It will no put money in anybodys hands and will do nothing to improve consumer spending.

Since almot 65% of the US economy is consumer spending this bill completely fails in regard to the single largest component of the GDP.

This is a massive, wasteful spending bill laden with social engineering at it''s very worst.; Reply to this comment


by jimmyc1955 February 13, 2009 1:26 PM EST: There is almost no stimulus in this "stimulus" bill. This is a massive spending bill that will impact very few people other than some very minor tax cuts.

But we will invest hundered of billions of dollars on programs that will have absolutely zero benefit to the economy or the nation any time during this administration.

Funding for hydrogen fuel cells? Increased tax rebates for fuel efficient cars?? How is somebody without a job going to get the money to buy a car much less benefit from a tax reduction for buying it?

I called both my senators and my congressman and all the lines are busy.

Call them - don''t let them get away with this!! Make it clear you will work to VOTE THEM OUT OF OFFICE if they vote for this bill.; Reply to this comment


by win4usa February 13, 2009 1:20 PM EST: The only stimulus bill that should be passed is to have a check sent to all LEGAL adult americans. I''m tired of my taxes going for political paybacks, for illegals and welfare for people that are too lazy to work.; Reply to this comment


by cariboubarbi February 13, 2009 12:49 PM EST: GOP just does not get it. The biggest threat to national security is not al-Qaeda, bin Laden, Iran or even rouge nukes. It''''s the economy stupid. The republican party policies that created an 11 trillion dollar deficit and enabled the nations economic collapse weaken our national security in a massive way no enemy from the outside could achieve.

Posted by macusweil at 09:35 AM : Feb 13, 2009

Bush and the GOP gave Bin Laden everything he wanted. They mired us down in a never ending war, crippled our military and destroyed our economy and bankrupted our government.

Thanks Bushies!; Reply to this comment


by macusweil February 13, 2009 12:35 PM EST: GOP just does not get it. The biggest threat to national security is not al-Qaeda, bin Laden, Iran or even rouge nukes. It''s the economy stupid. The republican party policies that created an 11 trillion dollar deficit and enabled the nations economic collapse weaken our national security in a massive way no enemy from the outside could achieve.; Reply to this comment


by cariboubarbi February 13, 2009 12:32 PM EST: 8 years of Bush''s tax cuts to the rich, trickle down economics lead to a 10 trillion dollar deficit and the worst recession since the depression.

Thanks Bushies!; Reply to this comment


by antoniof123 February 13, 2009 11:32 AM EST: As I have said before most Republicans dumber than dirt. They either attend a special school that teaches stupidy or they were droped on their head at birth.

So this is how they listen to the voters they just say no to every thing and don''t want to work with the Presdient.

I guess the deciders want to tell us what is right and wrong.

Okay deciders I will make you a wager in 2 years you will not have to decide on anything as you will have even less in congress.

I see another blood bath coming up in 2010 for these morons.; Reply to this comment