Pelosi Presses Bush To Support Stimulus

Citing yet another round of woeful economic news, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) pressed President Bush again on Wednesday to accept an interim spending package to boost the shrinking economy before President-elect Barack Obama takes office.

Another 529,000 Americans filed jobless claims last week, consumer spending declined by 1 percent in October and the number of people using food stamps could exceed 30 million for the first time ever. Those jobless claims are down slightly from a 16-year high the previous week, but the news is further evidence that the economy remains in a steep decline.

“The latest economic news makes clear that President Bush and Senate Republicans must drop their opposition to the House-passed economic recovery legislation that would provide a down payment on creating jobs, helping states avoid deep cuts to health care and essential services, and deliver emergency nutrition assistance to struggling families," Pelosi said in a statement released by her office. "Democrats again call on President Bush and Senate Republicans to work with us to enact this legislation in December."

Pelosi also promised to keep working with Obama on a much larger spending package to create jobs, "cut taxes, invest in a cleaner energy future and rebuild schools, roads and bridges."