The U.S. House has approved a compromise version of the economic stimulus bill, and one Wisconsin Congressman says it will provide the help that's needed.
The House on Friday approved the $789 billion package, which was the result of a conference committee report. Congressman Ron Kind, who supported the measure, says it strikes the right balance between tax relief and incentives for businesses that will help create new jobs and protect existing ones.
Kind says the package will push out funding quickly to states, although it's hard to tell how soon the impact will be felt.
Republicans have been critical of the plan, saying they were shut out of the negotiations. Kind says there's plenty in this package that Republicans also embraced. He says those opposed to the measure just want to continue down the same road of “failed economic policies” from the previous administration.
The bill passed the US House 245-183. No Republicans voted for the bill and seven Democrats against it. It now heads to the U.S. Senate.