UPDATE: Stimulus Plan Clears Congress
By: Steve Handelsman, NBC News
Updated: February 13, 2009
The Senate spent five hours waiting for a Democratic senator to return to Washington and vote in favor of the near $800 billion dollar stimulus plan. Ohio senator Sherrod Brown returned late Friday to cast the 60th and decisive vote for the stimulus deal. He had been attending a memorial service for his mother, and the Senate held the vote on the stimulus package until he could return and vote. The House of Representatives approved the plan earlier, with no Republican support.
President Obama said Friday that the passage of the bill was crucial for creating and keeping jobs at a time where job loss rates are soaring.
However, Republican lawmakers say the bill contains too much spending and will pass debt onto future generations.
Both senators Cornyn and Hutchison of Texas, as well as all three congressmen representing the Big Country, voted against the bill.
President Obama is expected to sign the bill into law before President's Day.
