Congress returns to Washington next week to begin its 111th session. Quick passage of an economic recovery bill including tens of billions of dollars in new transportation investments is a top priority of Democratic leaders but they face resistance from Republicans.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., is eager to move a recovery bill quickly after the new Congress convenes Tuesday. She has support from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and President-elect Barack Obama, who has cited a recovery bill as his highest priority upon taking office Jan. 20.
Congressional Republicans objected Dec. 29 to hurried consideration of the recovery proposal, however, questioning the economic value of many of the projects being floated for inclusion and voicing support for a more methodical process that might delay the legislation's passage well into February.
House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., both issued statements Monday calling for a lengthy vetting of the stimulus proposal. They cautioned Democrats not to rush to approve a package that could approach $1 trillion—one of the largest government spending bills of all time—just so Obama can have a bill to sign during his first week in office.
While Democrats could easily push a recovery bill through the House of Representatives, they will need the support at least a few Republican senators to prevent a filibuster in that chamber.
"Americans are left with more questions than answers about this unprecedented government spending, and I believe the taxpayers deserve to know a lot more about where it will be spent before we consider passing it," McConnell said in his statement. He urged devoting a larger portion of the bill to tax relief than government spending.
Boehner questioned whether the plan would lead to "more pork-barrel spending that does nothing but give taxpayers' money to special interests and campaign contributors." He reiterated his support for an alternative recovery bill that would focus on additional tax breaks such as doubling the child tax credit from $1,000 to $2,000 per kid and suspending the capital-gains tax on newly acquired assets for two years.
A CNN/Opinion Research Corp. survey of Americans released last week indicates most voters favor a stimulus package proposed by Obama and Democratic leaders. Of those polled, 56% said they favor the spending package outlined by Democrats while 42% were opposed.
