Information about the vote from special interest groups and other information providers in our Report Cards:
United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers
ECONOMIC STIMULUS
The Senate to amend an Economic Stimulus bill (HR3090) to direct almost $73 billion into taxpayer rebates for low-income workers, additional unemployment benefits, health care benefits for the unemployed. The amendment failed because 60 votes are needed under the Senate Budget Act.
Children's Defense Fund Action Council
Economic Stimulus (Democratic Substitute).
Motion to waive the Budget Act with respect to point of order against the substitute amendment. The amendment would provide approximately $73 billion in FY 2002 for economic stimulus measures, including $14 billion for refund checks to taxpayers that did not receive refunds during the summer of 2001. It also would provide $31 billion for unemployment benefits and health care benefits for displaced workers and agriculture assistance. It also would provide $8 billion in FY 2002, and $15 billion over 10 years for homeland security, including bioterrorism, food safety, law enforcement and postal programs.
The stimulus bill sponsored by Senator Baucus (D-MT) targeted assistance to low-income working families and newly unemployed workers, through new tax rebates, health care support and Unemployment Insurance improvements, similar to those proposed in the Act to Leave No Child Behind (H.R. 1990/S. 940). The actual vote was on a motion to waive the Budget Act in order to allow the substance of the bill to be considered. Because 60 votes were required to pass the motion, it failed and the vote precluded the Senate from further consideration of the bill.
Service Employees International Union
GOP Kill Unemployed Worker Benefits Bill.
Senator Phil Gramm, (R-TX) offered two procedural motions killing the Democratic Leadership Economic Stimulus, which included extended unemployment benefits, and reimbursement for COBRA premiums for laid off workers. Democrats needed 60 votes to prevail and move the measure forward. The votes demonstrate that neither side has the votes to pass a bill through the Senate and that negotiations are necessary.
In a last ditch effort Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) today stripped out rural development provisions approved by Finance Committee, and added provisions related to insurance and Medicaid. But Republican's focus on killing the bill centered on the additional $15 billion for infrastructure spending added to the package at the urging of Senate Appropriations Chairman Byrd.
This vote was on another budget enforcement issue.
Americans for Tax Reform
Economic Stimulus.
The Senate rejected a stimulus package focused on rebates and spending rather than on needed tax cuts.