Nancy Pelosi, facing new fight with President Bush, pushing economic stimulus plan

Get ready for one more clash between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and President Bush on his way out the door.

The speaker, who made public noise last week about the possibility of pushing a $150-billion economic stimulus package, charged forward with the idea today. That would be on top of the $168-billion package enacted earlier this year -- and, Pelosi acknowledged, likely to face White House opposition.

"The president didn't want to sign even a modest recovery package," she said at a Capitol Hill news conference after meeting with other Democratic leaders and economists.

She said that rebate checks may be in the mix. Ditto tax credits.

But "certainly" whatever package is crafted by the Democrats -- most likely in a post-election lame-duck session -- would include something intended to stimulate job creation, an extension of unemployment benefits, emergency food assistance and assistance for needy children and older people.

As for tax cuts, "we'll be looking at what we can do."

First up: A set of hearings on the economy and what can be done -- quickly -- to help it. Then, after the election, possible action by Congress.

House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio), meanwhile, was reported to be preparing a package of proposals to be included in the Democrats' plan. His rebuff to Pelosi was reported by Politico.com.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said there was a surprising degree of unanimity among the economists at the Democrats' meeting, a group that included Nobel laureate Joseph E. Stiglitz.

Unable to resist the old saw about economists, he said: "You see two economists, you get three opinions -- at least."

But apparently not today.

-- James Gerstenzang

Photo: Karen Bleier / AFP/Getty Images 

Comments

[Larry linn]

Bush is a pathetic lame duck, and is acting like one. It is the economy stupid! Without a solid economic base, the United States of America is a vulnerable target from various religious fanatics like Al Queda, as well as Russia, some tin-horn dictator from Venezuela, let alone China. Mr. McCain relies upon advice from Phil Gram who stated that "We have become a nation of whiners" in an interview with the Washington Times. Phil Gram’s wife was on the Board of Directors of Enron, as well as their Audit Committee. They have nothing to whine about. I guess that Gram and McCain do not see a problem. When people lose their jobs, pensions and other retirement funds, as well as their homes, those “whiners” should just move into one of their other houses. It is time for a change! Obama receives advice from Robert Reich, and other economists with proven track records. Meanwhile, Paul Krugman just received the Noble Prize for Economics. Mr. Krugman is a very vocal critic of the Bush economic policies. Mr. McCain just wants to continue theses same policies.

[shirley falba,warren ohio]

I AM A SINGLE MOTHER OF 2 CHILDREN.I WORK IN EMERGENCY MED AT CLEMENTE AMBULANCE.I HAVE SOME PROBLEMS WITH TANT HE STIMULUS PACKAGE.....I MAKE 35,OOO AFTER YOU ADD CHILD SUPPORT.I PAY 400 A MONTH FOR HEALTH CARE FOR MYSELF AND 2 CHILDREN..I DO NOT GET ANYTHING FROM JOBS AND FAMILEY.I MAKE TO MUCH MONEY.MY HEATING BILLS GET PRETTY HIGH BUT I DONT GET ANYTHING FROM HEAP.AGAIN I MAKE TO MUCH MONEY...NEW ROADS AND BRIDGES WOULD BE NICE,BUT IT WONT HELP MY FAMILEY,LOWER ENERGY COSTS (HEAP)WONT HELP MY FAMILEY....DONT EVEN GET ME STARTED ON THE FOOD STAMP PROGRAM.AGAIN I DONT GET THEM..........
WHAT I AM TRYING TO SAY IS YOUR STIMULUS PACKAGE,WILL GIVE HELP TO THE PEOPLE WHO ALLREADY GET THE MOST.....HOW ABOUT HELP FOR THE PEOPLE WHO GO OUT AND WORK EVERY DAY...