On Wednesday the House of Representative approved an $819 billion stimulus package, despite having no Republican support and 11 opposing Democrats. The bill passed by a 244-118 margin. According to The Boston Globe:
Members of both parties said that despite Obama's overtures to Republicans - including a trip this week to Capitol Hill to woo members in person - the congressional leadership of both parties approached the stimulus legislation with the same unrelenting partisan tactics Obama attacked during his campaign and inaugural address.
"It's really not a bipartisan process so I don't think you can expect a bipartisan vote," said Representative Jeff Flake, an Arizona Republican. "If the president had his druthers, we would be included. . . . But they've locked us out. We've seen a very heavy-handed leadership on this."
The bill, which includes money for food stamps, digitizing health records and alternative energy technology, is expected to increase up to $1 trillion when ti comes up for a Senate vote next week.
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