"WASHINGTON - Retirees living off Social Security are frustrated that they won't get tax rebate checks
through a bipartisan economic stimulus package before the House. Senate
Democrats Friday began efforts to include them.
The
Senate is also considering an extension of jobless benefits to the $150
billion package of rebates and business tax cuts in a deal wrapped up
Thursday between House leaders and President Bush.
Bush urged Congress on Friday to quickly pass the package without
any further spending. "I strongly believe it would be a mistake to
delay or derail this bill," Bush said.
"I understand the desire to add provisions from both the right and the left," he said, adding that would be an error.
Senate Democrats are refusing to rubber stamp the House measure.
That raises the possibility of protracted negotiations if Democrats are
successful in adding giving retirees tax rebates, extending
unemployment benefits, boosting heating subsidies for the poor and
temporarily increasing food stamp payments.
Those are all items floated by top Senate Democrats left out of the negotiations between the administration and House leaders.
They were all considered but tossed overboard in intense talks that produced a hard-won agreement among Bush, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Minority Leader John Boehner.
Their plan would give individual taxpayers up to $600 in rebates,
working couples $1,200 and those with children an additional $300 per
child. The rebates would phase out gradually for individuals whose
adjusted gross income exceeds $75,000 and for couples with incomes
above $150,000."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080125/ap_on_go_co/economy_stimulus;_ylt=A0...
I'm sure the Senate Dems will cave quickly. Don't worry, this won't delay your "rebate". Measley issues like unemployment, food stamps and heating assistance won't stop the money train from arriving on time!