Stimulus bill passes House

The first hurdle of President Barack Obama’s massive economic stimulus plan has been cleared. On Wednesday afternoon, the House of Representatives passed its version—worth $819 billion—by a 244-188 vote.

President Obama’s first Congressional victory, however, was bittersweet. The Democrats used the power of their majority to move the legislation through. No one on the Republican side approved the measure.

The House stimulus contains $544 billion in federal spending, much of it dubbed “wasteful” by Republicans, and $275 billion in tax cuts for individuals and small businesses. There was a last-minute $3 billion addition to mass transit. The transportation industry would receive $46 billion.

The Senate will now attempt to pass its version. Debate is expected to begin on Monday, Feb. 2, and lawmakers still hope to have a final bill for President Obama’s signature in a couple of weeks.

“This investment can give state departments of transportation and local governments the ability to make smart investments and generate hundreds of thousands of jobs,” John Horsley, executive director for the American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials, said in a statement.