Obama Signs Stimulus Plan Into Law

President Says $787B Economic Recovery Package Represents The "Essential Work Of Keeping The American Dream Alive"

(CBS/AP)  Racing to reverse the country's economic spiral, President Barack Obama signed the mammoth stimulus package into law Tuesday and readied a new $50 billion foreclosure rescue for legions of Americans who are in danger of losing their homes.

There was no recovery yet for beleaguered automakers, who were back in Washington for more bailout billions. General Motors Corp. said it was closing plants, Chrysler LLC said it was cutting vehicle models and both said they were getting rid of thousands more jobs as they made their restructuring cases for $5 billion more for Chrysler and as much as $16.6 billion more for GM. The United Auto Workers union said it had agreed to tentative concessions that could help Detroit's struggling Big Three.

Anything but reassured, Wall Street dove ever lower. The Dow Jones industrials fell 297.81 points, closing less than a point above their lowest level in five and a half years.

Obama focused on the $787 billion stimulus plan, an ambitious package of federal spending and tax cuts designed to revive the economy and save millions of jobs. Most wage-earners will soon see the first paycheck evidence of tax breaks that will total $400 for individuals and $800 for couples.

The stimulus package was a huge victory for Obama less than one month into his presidency. But he struck a sober tone and lowered expectations for an immediate turnaround in the severe recession that is well into its second year.

"None of this will be easy," he said. "The road to recovery will not be straight. We will make progress, and there may be some slippage along the way."

Still, he declared, "We have begun the essential work of keeping the American dream alive in our time."

CBS News White House correspondent Chip Reid reports that in Missouri, the reaction to Obama's signing was instantaneous. As the bill was signed, local commissioners signed a contract, cut a check, and work began on the first project for the nation.

But while some projects truly are shovel ready, many are far from it. In Colorado, officials say it will be six months before half their projects are up and running, reports Reid.

Only three Republicans -- Senate moderates -- voted for the $787 billion measure aimed at pulling the country out of recession. The rest assailed it as filled with pet projects, too light on tax cuts, and too quickly pushed through Capitol Hill.

It's "a long wish list of big government spending that won't work. It won't create jobs. It won't stimulate this economy. And it may do more harm than good,'' Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., declared after opposing the bill.

Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., was quick to pounce, saying, "It is sending an entirely wrong signal to the American people to be banking on failure.''

Underscoring energy-related investments in the new law, Obama and Vice President Joe Biden flew separately to Denver where the president signed it at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science before roughly 250 people including alternative energy business leaders. Earlier, the pair examined solar panels on the museum's roof.

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Graphic: Breakdown Of How Stimulus Package Funds Will Be Dispersed
Obama's Remarks At The Signing Ceremony
Hotsheet: State-By-State Infrastructure Spending
Mark Knoller: Stimulus Bill Too Lengthy to Read - But Not To Sign
Hotsheet: Jindal Signals La. May Not Take Stimulus Money

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On Wednesday, Obama will outline another big piece of his recovery effort - a $50 billion plan to help stem foreclosures - in Arizona, one of the states hardest hit by the mortgage defaults that are at the center of the nation's economic woes.

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner mentioned the housing program last week as he rolled out a wide-ranging financial-sector rescue plan that could send $2 trillion coursing through the financial system. Obama is expected to detail how the administration plans to prod the mortgage industry to do more in modifying the terms of home loans so borrowers have lower monthly payments.

More than 2.3 million homeowners coast-to-coast faced foreclosure proceedings last year, an 81 percent increase from 2007. Analysts say that number could soar as high as 10 million in the coming years, depending on the severity of the recession.

In Denver, Obama said the stimulus package had received broad support in Washington and elsewhere, though Democrats pushed it to passage with only three Republican votes in the Senate and none in the House.

One of the biggest public spending programs since World War II, the new law is designed to create jobs in the short term and to boost consumer confidence to battle the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. It also makes down payments on Obama's health care, energy and education goals.

Taking the long view, Obama cast the law as just "the beginnings of the first steps" to jerk the country out of a crisis he inherited from GOP President George W. Bush.

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs, asked by reporters, would not rule out another stimulus in the future, though he said a sequel was not in the works "at this point." He added, "The president is going to do whatever he thinks is necessary to get our economy moving again."

The nation's distressed economy has dominated Obama's first weeks in office.

While laying the groundwork to address woes in the auto, financial and housing sectors, Obama spent some of his political capital lobbying hard for the stimulus package that the Democratic-controlled Congress approved last week. Obama has essentially pinned his political future on his prescriptions for the ailing economy, going so far as to raise the possibility of a one-term presidency if he fails.

There's no guarantee that Obama's enormous marshaling of resources and multi-pronged approach will stunt the economic freefall, much less produce jobs or bring prosperity. The only thing certain is that Obama is on track to boost a federal debt that stands at $10.7 trillion.

Clearly mindful of that, Obama said: "We will need to do everything in the short term to get our economy moving again" as well as "begin restoring fiscal discipline and taming our exploding deficits over the long term."

As he spoke in Denver, General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC were racing to complete plans detailing how they would repay government loans and restructure their operations to remain viable. Detroit's third major automaker, Ford Motor Co., has not requested government help.

GM submitted a dire plan to the Treasury Department, saying it would try to borrow up to $16.6 billion more from the government on top of the $13.4 billion it has received. The plan includes cutting 47,000 more jobs and closing five more U.S. factories.

Chrysler said it needed $5 billion more to survive on top of the $4 billion in government loans it received in December. It said it would cut 3,000 jobs and three vehicle models as part of its restructuring plan.

The United Auto Workers union said it had reached a tentative deal with Chrysler, GM and Ford to modify its contracts with the automakers to help them endure.

As a White House task force prepared to oversee the companies' restructuring, presidential spokesman Gibbs said the administration had not closed the door to a government-backed bankruptcy for the companies.

GM said it had considered bankruptcy, but the only credit available to finance a reorganization would be from the government and that could cost as much as $100 billion.

As for the stimulus plan, Obama contends it will create or save 3.5 million jobs. Critics, mostly Republicans, contend it is filled with wasteful spending and provisions that won't boost the economy.

Recession victims will get extended unemployment benefits and help with health care coverage, as well as more food stamps and job training opportunities. States will get cash to prevent them from cutting aid for schools and local governments. Billions are slated for road and bridge construction, mass transit, high-speed rail and national parks.

Middle-income and wealthy taxpayers will be spared from income tax increase that would otherwise hit them. First-time home buyers, new car buyers, college students, poor families with several children and people who make their homes energy efficient also will get breaks.

The measure also includes money for three top items on the president's agenda - expanding computerized information technology in the health care industry, creating "green" jobs Obama says will help wean the country off foreign oil dependence, and improving the quality of kindergarten through 12th grade education.

[starleo146]

we have to vote dems out of congress in the next election!please get rid of pelosi and her cronies!

Posted by dbaker13 at 03:34 PM : Feb 18, 2009

Yea I bet you wish that. It will be a long, long time before this country trusts a republican again, just look at the Dow NASDAQ the lost homes the lost jobs what is wrong with you.

[joepack61]

I can catch catfish from dusk to dawn I won''''t be
homeless and hungery so call me a redneck
--- Posted by popstom124 at 11:55 AM : Feb 18, 2009

Ya know, there is another redneck food group called road kill, including what upity northern rednecks eat -- venison road kill.

[dbaker13-2009]

we have to vote dems out of congress in the next election!please get rid of pelosi and her cronies!

[joepack61]

What would you think of a politician who spent his entire his career mucking through the most corrupt political scene in the U.S. - Chicago and Illinois?

[dbaker13-2009]

all the morons looking for free healthcare,welfare,etc from the annointed one the messiah.

[joepack61]

A CAT scan in the emergency room to rule out a condition that the attending surgeon doesn''''t believe exits per his exam costs over $4,000. How will Electronic Medical Records (EMR) eliminate this waste? To the contrary, EMR could add waste and suffering. In one case, a man in his 30s had his colon cancer overlooked by doctors for years until he nearly died. The doctors said that his MEDICAL RECORDS did not indicate a history or profile for colon cancer. If anyone can tell me how EMR would have changed this story to one of timely and accurate medical treatment, I will reconsider my jaded view of EMR.

BTW check out the pork of H.R.1. at http://thomas.loc.gov/

[dbaker13-2009]

WLCOME TO the socialist republic of america!all the left wing nut jobs looking for handouts!the united states is history as we know it.

[wvu74621]

sorry that should have read:
I%u2019m hoping for the presidents sake and the future of this country that he is successful but people should have realistic expectations.


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Posted by andie52 at 08:42 AM : Feb 18, 2009

Nicely put.

[andie52]

sorry that should have read:
I%u2019m hoping for the presidents sake and the future of this country that he is successful but people should have realistic expectations.

[andie52]

I%u2019m hoping for the epr4esidnets sake and the future of this country that he is successful but people should have realistic expectations.

He can%u2019t fix 8 years of problems right away and there will be set backs; but even the cable news commentators are finally admitting he is one of the hardest working presidents this country has had in a long time. I give him credit for that.

Plus he had to start before he was been sworn into office which is unprecedented.

If any of the nay sayers out there think you could do better perhaps you should give it a go.

[wvu74621]

LOL You are assuming that Obama and the Democrats are successful here. IF they fail I doubt your Retirement will be worth a lot. Sieg Heil Rush


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Posted by irmcvet971 at 07:32 AM : Feb 18, 2009
+ report abuse


Infatuated with Rush Limbaugh much? I think you have an old man crush on him.

[wvu74621]

I wonder if many americans will even be able to afford to put solar panels on their roofs in 2 years? Good idea, but whos paying for it and they are''nt cheap neither. The guy that spoke about his solar panel company has high hopes and I hope he does well, but americans have to have money to buy from him and actually how much money will the govrenment give torwards the purchase?

[wvu74621]

He is probably on another story with he sieg heil trade mark greeting.


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Posted by endurorob at 07:50 AM : Feb 18, 2009
+ report abuse

He does''nt realize that his anthem pertains more to him than anybody.

[wvu74621]

Actually my future is quite bright grandpa. I already receive a retirement check. In ten more years I will be able to claim another retirment check on top of that one, not to mention my 60 % disability pay for combat related injuries. So I will retire completly when I am 58. As for you grandpa are you still working as a greeter at wal-mart to make ends meet.

Posted by wvu74621 at 07:30 AM : Feb 18, 2009

LOL You are assuming that Obama and the Democrats are successful here. IF they fail I doubt your Retirement will be worth a lot. Sieg Heil Rush


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Posted by irmcvet971 at 07:32 AM : Feb 18, 2009
+ report abuse


IRCVVET971 are you back tracking on your past drivle. You are saying assuming Obama and the democrats are successful. One minute you are slamming others for questioning the young intelligent leader the next you are questioning whether he will succeed. *** stay on point grandpa, stay consistant in your statements. Make sure you change your depends gramps because its over flowing with s-hit.

[endurorob]

IRMCVET971, Did you leave, the stench of rotten breath has lessened.


Posted by wvu74621 at 07:47 AM : Feb 18, 2009

He is probably on another story with he sieg heil trade mark greeting.

[wvu74621]

IRMCVET971, Did you leave, the stench of rotten breath has lessened.

[wvu74621]

I am fine today but the future does not look good with the new spending bill. How are you today? I wouldn''''t bother sparing with irmcvet. He has obviously been traumatized in the past and holds a lot of anger but little common sense.


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Posted by endurorob at 07:43 AM : Feb 18, 2009
+ report abuse


True, I think he is scared and is placing all of his penniesin hopes that it will work. I think he is in for a rude awakening in 2 years when they need another 800 billion to keep his head above water.

[wvu74621]

Posted by irmcvet971 at 07:32 AM : Feb 18, 2009
+ report abuse


Why so quiet gramps?

[endurorob]

Hey endurorob How are you today?

Posted by wvu74621 at 07:40 AM : Feb 18, 2009

I am fine today but the future does not look good with the new spending bill. How are you today? I wouldn''t bother sparing with irmcvet. He has obviously been traumatized in the past and holds a lot of anger but little common sense.

[wvu74621]

He just signed the stimulus bill and there are already mutterings of stimulus part 2. This country will be totally broke in 2 years and taxes will become so oppressive that many will find it better just to not work and reap the benefits of those that do work.


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Posted by endurorob at 07:39 AM : Feb 18, 2009
+ report abuse


True..try explaining this to some of the lemmings in here. I don''t care whoe presented this stimulus package, repubs or dems. It smells.