What Didn’t Make the Cut in Stimulus Deal
Rob Bluey /
Conservatives on Capitol Hill are expressing mixed reactions to news that a deal has been struck on an economic stimulus package. Some staffers are expressing disappointment that Republicans agreed to government giveaways of $300 for individuals and up to $1,200 for families. Others said they were grateful that House Minority Leader John Boehner kept bad liberal policies out of the package.
While many details aren’t yet know about what will end up in the bill — and how the Senate might tweak it — there were some notable items left out of the package:
• Tax hikes: “However, Pelosi today hinted that one key dispute — whether a tax refund would have to be offset with new taxes or reduced spending — might be avoided. When asked whether Democrats would insist that a stimulus package is ‘paid for’, she said. ‘That issue has not been resolved yet.’” — “House Democrats Hoping for Joint Stimulus Proposal with White House,” AFX News Limited, Jan. 16, 2008
• Expanded food stamps and unemployment benefits: “House Speaker Nancy Pelosi agreed to drop increases in food stamp and unemployment benefits during the Wednesday meeting in exchange for gaining a rebates of at least $300 for each person earning a paycheck, including low-income earners who make too little to pay income taxes.” — “Deal Near on Economic Stimulus Plan,” Associated Press, Jan. 24, 2008
• $2 billion for summer jobs corps: “And so I’m going to be putting on the table, and I hope all of my colleagues would agree, a summer jobs program. Nobody’s been talking about that. But there are three times in the past where we’ve had these stimulus packages, we have put summer jobs into the mix. For $2 billion, you can create 2 million – up to 2 million summer jobs. And if we have some eight- to ten-week summer employment for students, especially, that money will be spent within one hour of them getting their checks in their hand.” –- Rep. Jim Clyburn interview, NPR’s “Tell Me More,” Jan. 21, 2008
• Green jobs: “Support an immediate appropriation of $125 million for the Green Jobs Program within the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), as administered by the Department of Labor.” -– Rep. Eliot Engel press release, Jan. 23, 2008
• Higher Medicaid spending: “They also are discussing more federal funding for the Medicaid health program for the poor, larger food-stamp payments and accelerated spending on public-works projects — all ideas likely to prompt Republican opposition.” –- Sarah Lueck, “Democrats to Test Unity On Stimulus Proposals,” Wall Street Journal, January 12, 2008
• Heating oil subsidies and infrastructure: “Liberal Democrats, committee chairmen and appropriators want to boost spending on traditional Democratic priorities such as infrastructure and heating oil subsidies.” – Alan K. Ota, “Economic Stimulus Proposals Divide Democrats,” CQ Today, January 18, 2008
• Broadband, bridges and energy technology: “And Rep. Ellen O. Tauscher of California, chairman of the moderate New Democrat Coalition, suggests an enhanced earned income tax credit, a payroll tax rebate, sales tax or property tax breaks and more spending on broadband, bridges and energy technology.” – Alan K. Ota, “Economic Stimulus Proposals Divide Democrats,” CQ Today, January 18, 2008