WASHINGTON -- The White House is seeking to restore funding cut by the Senate for schools, health insurance and computerizing health records as the economic-stimulus plan headed into a final round of negotiations in Congress, with top lawmakers struggling to bring the price of the two-year package down to $800 billion.
That would be well below the $838.2 billion plan approved Tuesday by the Senate on a 61-37 vote, but would reflect pressure from influential moderates in the Senate to hold down costs. As lawmakers meet to reconcile the House and Senate versions of the legislation, the White House's effort to reshape it is leading to skirmishes among House and Senate Democrats, as well as with the moderate Republicans and Democrats who pushed to cut the size of the original Senate package.
That would be well below the $838.2 billion plan approved Tuesday by the Senate on a 61-37 vote, but would reflect pressure from influential moderates in the Senate to hold down costs. As lawmakers meet to reconcile the House and Senate versions of the legislation, the White House's effort to reshape it is leading to skirmishes among House and Senate Democrats, as well as with the moderate Republicans and Democrats who pushed to cut the size of the original Senate package.
President Barack Obama stumped for quick action on the stimulus plan in Florida Tuesday. In Washington, senior White House aides, including chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, headed to Capitol Hill soon after the Senate vote for meetings aimed at nailing down details and clearing the way for a final vote by this weekend. Mr. Emanuel and other Obama aides worked into the night at the Capitol, convening a series of meetings with House and Senate leaders. "This is shuttle diplomacy," Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman, an independent, said after one session.
To make room for added spending, the White House, joined by House Democratic leaders, is pressing to scale back certain Senate-passed tax breaks, including measures intended to boost auto and home sales.
White House officials said they can hold on to support for the package, even if spending is increased as a share of the total plan. "We don't think it's that precarious," one administration official said.
To make room for added spending, the White House, joined by House Democratic leaders, is pressing to scale back certain Senate-passed tax breaks, including measures intended to boost auto and home sales.
White House officials said they can hold on to support for the package, even if spending is increased as a share of the total plan. "We don't think it's that precarious," one administration official said.
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