They Voted For You: Economic Stimulus

U.S. Sens. Robert C. Byrd and Jay Rockefeller, both D-W.Va., helped pass a scaled-back version of the "Recovery Rebates and Economic Stimulus for the American People Act of 2008."

As The Associated Press explains, "The Senate’s 81-16 vote capped more than a week of political maneuvering. The logjam broke when majority Democrats dropped their demand that rescue proposal offer jobless benefits, heating aid for the poor and tax breaks for the home building and energy industries."

The Democrats failed to advance their version earlier this week. "President Bush indicated he would sign the measure," AP reports.