Senate Clears Path for Vote on $838 Billion Stimulus

Senate Democrats on Monday advanced the $838 billion economic stimulus bill, clearing a major procedural hurdle by a razor thin margin with the help of just three Republicans. A vote on final passage of the bill is expected on Tuesday. Senators voted 61 to 36 to invoke cloture on the legislation, which President Obama today urged Congress to pass "immediately" to avoid the prospect of a "deepening disaster." Senate passage of the bill tomorrow would trigger a House-Senate conference to resolve differences in the versions of the two houses. Each chamber would then vote on the resulting legislative package, which Obama has said he wants to sign by the end of the week before the Presidents' Day recess. The $819 billion House package includes broader spending proposals and fewer tax cuts. This evening's vote was on a substitute bill negotiated late last week by a group of Democrats and moderate Republicans. Though early figures estimated the cost of the compromise at $827 billion, on Monday the Congressional Budget Office scored the bill's cost at $838 billion.