WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate rejected a $56 million purported economic stimulus package today by a vote of 52-42, eight votes short of the sixty needed. Despite indications before the vote that the package would not garner sufficient support to move forward, Senate leadership insisted upon the recorded vote.
Senator Thad Cochran (MS), the top Republican on the Senate Appropriations Committee, expressed frustration with the process:
“At a time when our country is facing serious challenges domestically and overseas, the Senate leaders chose to bring up a so-called stimulus package that was designed to fail. There was no opportunity for debate or amendment.
“If they were serious about funding for local law enforcement grants or medical research, they would have worked to move across the House and Senate floors the annual appropriations bills that fund these programs. This is one of the fundamental responsibilities of Congress. Instead they spent the summer obstructing the appropriations process so that they could avoid votes on the single issue most important to American families - energy prices.
“This stimulus package was pitched as a shot in the arm for the American economy. What is stimulating about stopping the development of domestic energy resources? What is stimulating about passing laws about downer cattle when the USDA is already working to fix the problem? What does mandatory funding for our National Parks in the year 2018 have to do with stimulating the economy?
“The truth is that Senate leaders carefully stacked this package so that it would fail. They have turned their backs on the real needs of the American people in hopes of election day gain.”
Senate leadership has failed to take action on nine of the twelve Fiscal Year 2009 appropriations bills, which fund the federal government. Fiscal Year 2008 ends September 30, 2008.
