Writing

Bill Passes, Bipartisanship Fails in The House
By Jack Edison

BOSTON – The Obama administration’s push for bipartisanship between Democrats and Republicans met resistance in the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday. President Obama expected support from moderate Republicans for his $819 billion stimulus package, but received none. Despite Republican opposition, the bill passed with 244 votes, 26 more than necessary, and will go to the Senate for discussion over the next few weeks.

The 647-page plan would allocate $500 billion for spending and $300 billion in tax cuts. Obama has said he hopes that this two-year package will create jobs for lower and middle-class families. Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Calif., expressed skepticism. “What will all this spending get the American people? Will it truly provide more middle class jobs and infrastructure? No.”

Rep. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., stated that this bill might have some troubled areas. “The president remains very popular. I like him. But up on Capital Hill details matter, and some of these details don’t pass muster.”

Even Democrat, Rep. Jim Cooper of Tennessee, labeled the bill as pork barrel spending. “Here we are in the first week of the most exciting new presidency in a half century, and the old bulls are back trying to conduct business as usual.” Cooper and other representatives question how spending $335 million on educating people about sexually transmitted diseases and $650 million on digital TV coupons will generate jobs.

Republican strategist Bay Buchanan said that Republicans refused to roll over for Obama. “Republicans have a real opportunity to define what Republicanism and conservatism is all about.”

Obama is “trying to be cordial,” said Democratic strategist James Carville opposing Buchanan. “I don’t think it has dawned on [the republicans] that there is a Republican recession going on.”