Senate Passes Improved Economic Stimulus Package

Senate Passes Improved Economic Stimulus Package

House Expected to Expedite Passage to Allow Bill to be Signed into Law

Senator John Thune today made the following comments after passage of an Economic Stimulus bill in the U.S. Senate. The Senate agreed to the bill by a vote of 81 to 16.

"After days of stalling by the Democrat Leadership, the Senate passed an economic stimulus package with important improvements to the bill (H.R. 5140) passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on January 31st. Over 50,000 South Dakota seniors who would not be covered by the House-passed bill will be eligible for rebates under the Senate version. I expect the House to overwhelmingly approve the Senate package, which will ensure that President Bush can sign the measure into law to provide needed relief to the American people and our economy.

"The Senate-passed stimulus bill expands rebates to veterans and veterans' widows as well as prohibiting rebate checks for illegal immigrants.

"The economic stimulus bill has the potential to put money back in the hands of families and consumers while at the same time providing tax relief to small businesses across South Dakota and the country. I am pleased that the Senate rejected attempts to add unnecessary provisions to the stimulus package and recognized that the fastest way to get a stimulus package to the President is to agree on the provisions contained in this bill."

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