WASHINGTON -- Congress passed the final version of a $787 billion economic stimulus plan aimed at jolting the slumping U.S. economy, sending the legislation to President Obama's desk for his signature.
Speaking in his weekly radio and Internet address, Obama said Saturday, "I will sign this legislation into law shortly, and we'll begin making the immediate investments necessary to put people back to work doing the work America needs done."
He said the newly passed $787 billion economic stimulus legislation marks a "major milestone on our road to recovery."
At the same time, he cautioned, "This historic step won't be the end of what we do to turn our economy around, but rather the beginning. The problems that led us into this crisis are deep and widespread, and our response must be equal to the task."
The bill passed the Senate late Friday night with a vote of 60-38 after Democratic leadership held the vote open for several hours to allow one member, Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, to return to Washington to cast the deciding vote. He had flown back from Ohio, where his mother died earlier in the week.
"We just passed this bill to help our struggling economy," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said.
The House approved the measure earlier in the day by a vote of 246-183, with no Republican "yes" votes and one member voting present.
House Republicans remained united in their opposition to the package despite concerns among GOP leaders Thursday that at least a handful of Republicans would vote for it. Democrats picked up three of the 11 members who jumped ship to side with Republicans on the previous vote two weeks ago. more
Speaking in his weekly radio and Internet address, Obama said Saturday, "I will sign this legislation into law shortly, and we'll begin making the immediate investments necessary to put people back to work doing the work America needs done."
He said the newly passed $787 billion economic stimulus legislation marks a "major milestone on our road to recovery."
At the same time, he cautioned, "This historic step won't be the end of what we do to turn our economy around, but rather the beginning. The problems that led us into this crisis are deep and widespread, and our response must be equal to the task."
The bill passed the Senate late Friday night with a vote of 60-38 after Democratic leadership held the vote open for several hours to allow one member, Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, to return to Washington to cast the deciding vote. He had flown back from Ohio, where his mother died earlier in the week.
"We just passed this bill to help our struggling economy," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said.
The House approved the measure earlier in the day by a vote of 246-183, with no Republican "yes" votes and one member voting present.
House Republicans remained united in their opposition to the package despite concerns among GOP leaders Thursday that at least a handful of Republicans would vote for it. Democrats picked up three of the 11 members who jumped ship to side with Republicans on the previous vote two weeks ago. more
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