Stimulus Plan Debate
By: Maria Oliver/NBC
Updated: February 7, 2009
The senate was at work again debating the President's Stimulus Plan.Last night, four senators hammered out a plan to cut the package down by $100 billion.
It now stands at nearly $800 billion but angry Republicans say more cuts are needed.
In a rare Saturday session ... The Senate maneuvered toward a Monday vote on the President's huge Stimulus Package.
It now stands at just under $800 billion after four key senators struck a deal to slim the package down just enough to get the votes they needed.
"We have an economy that's hurting," said Democratic Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts.
Democrats say the stimulus will create jobs and millions of them. Meanwhile, Republicans say the plan will just make the crisis worse.
"This is kind of a sugar high, you put a lot of spending out right now, but once the high is gone and you crash - you're gonna be in a recession," said Republican Senator Jon Kyl of Arizona.
President Obama is urging both sides to put aside their differences and demanding action.
"Because if we don't move swiftly to put this plan in motion, our economic crisis could become a national catastrophe," said Obama.
Meanwhile, the president and his family headed off on their first trip to Camp David.
An overnight trip to the resident's retreat, while the battle over his stimulus plan rages in Washington.
The real debate starts after Monday's vote when the House and Senate have to turn their two plans into one.






