They Voted For You: Economic Stimulus

U.S. Sens. Robert C. Byrd and Jay Rockefeller, both D-W.Va., each voted to bring up for passage an amended version of the House's "Recovery Rebates and Economic Stimulus for the American People Act of 2008."

The vote failed 58-41, as it needed at least 60 votes to prevail. The Associated Press explains that "Senate Republicans blocked a bid by Democrats to add $44 billion in help for the elderly, disabled veterans, the unemployed and businesses."

"In a suspenseful showdown vote that capped days of partisan infighting and procedural jockeying, eight Republicans -- four of them up for re-election this year -- joined Democrats to back the plan, bucking GOP leaders and President Bush, who objected to the costly add-ons," AP reported.

The House passed its bill last month.