Obama’s Stimulus Package Passes House with Zero Republican Supporters

The House approved an $819 billion economic stimulus package on Wednesday on a party-line vote.

The final vote was 244 to 188. Not one single Republican voted for the bill, and 11 Democrats voted against it. The Senate will likely review the bill next week.

“I hope that we can continue to strengthen this plan before it gets to my desk,” said Obama after the vote. “We must move swiftly and boldly to put Americans back to work, and that is exactly what this plan begins to do.”

House Democrats offered nearly unanimous support for the bill. They believe in its ability to create jobs quickly as well as boost economic growth.

“One week and one day ago, our new President delivered a great inaugural address… which I believe is a great blueprint for the future,” Nancy Pelosi said. “With swift and bold action today, we are doing just that – with this vote today, we are taking America in a new direction.”

Republicans, however, have attacked the bill, stating their concerns regarding the large amount of spending the bill would require. They have also criticized the tax cut provisions, stating they are too little.

“The underlying bill, while it has some good provisions, has a lot of wasteful provisions and slow-moving spending in it,” said House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio. “We have to act – we have to heal the ailing economy. The question is how to do it best; we think that fast acting tax relief is the way to get it done.”

The House shot down a Republican amendment which would have cut a sizable amount of the stimulus plan’s spending, as well as expanding the amount of tax cuts.

Keep up with all news related to job creation at Employment Crossing.