Something they can agree on

Democrats and Republicans in Congress took a brief break from their usual bickering today to announce a $2.5-billion plan for aid and economic development in Latin America. Capitol Hill staffers say the Social Investment and Economic Development Act is a 10-year program that would require the recipient countries to contribute and would encourage corporations and nongovernmental organizations to provide matching funds.

The act is the work of Sen. Robert Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat, and Sen. Mel Martinez, a Florida Republican, as well as Democratic Rep. Eliot Engel of New York and Republican Rep. Dan Burton of Indiana. The four unveiled the legislation at a news conference this morning. The ambitious plan seeks to reduce Latin American poverty, expand the middle class and invest in programs "to bring prosperity and stability to a region with which the United States shares deeply rooted common interests," staffers wrote in a release. No word on its chances for success.

Posted by Nicole Gaouette in Washington