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Bush pushes Congress to pass stimulus plan Story Highlights Americans would receive tax rebate checks under the economic plan
Sen. Chuck Schumer: "It is a very good first step, we need to move a little farther"
Republican leaders accuse Democrats of loading bill with "pork"
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, West Virginia (CNN) -- President Bush urged Congress Friday to quickly pass the economic stimulus plan that includes giving Americans tax rebate checks, saying, "I strongly believe it would be a mistake to delay or derail this bill."
Bush said he understands "the desire to add provisions from both the right and the left," but added that the package is "big enough to affect the economy in positive ways."
He spoke to a gathering of House Republicans, who praised his "perfect attendance record" for the annual retreat.
While the House reached a deal with the White House to advance the bill Thursday, many Senate Democrats want to include extended unemployment benefits -- a provision House Democrats dropped to reach the agreement with House Republicans and the Bush administration.
"The package is not complete. And while it is a very good first step, we need to move a little farther," said Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-New York.
Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Massachusetts, issued a statement saying, "Working families should be assured that this agreement is not the final word. Families are in crisis, and it's not enough just to help with their taxes. I intend to offer amendments in the Senate to strengthen this package -- to provide unemployment insurance to workers looking for jobs, and to help families coping with high heating costs and skyrocketing food prices."
House Republican leader John Boehner of Ohio joined Bush's effort to push Senate Democrats to drop their objections. "It would be irresponsible for Senate Democrats to load this bill up with pork and other spending," Boehner said, without citing what he was referring to as "pork."
"Families and small businesses need help now, and this agreement shouldn't be derailed because of partisan politics," he said.
Democrats have said they do not consider their concerns about the bill to be partisan politics
:wtf: :wtf: :wtf: :grr: :grr:
F Rep Boner and the horse he rode in on.......we the Democrats always are the ones that try to help people, unlike the Repubes who think that corporate welfare is the way to go. :grr:
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