The fate of $600 to $1,200 rebates for more than 100 million Americans is in limbo after Senate Republicans blocked a bid by Democrats to add $44 billion in help for the elderly, disabled veterans, the unemployed and businesses to the House-passed economic aid package.
GOP senators banded together Wednesday to thwart the $205 billion plan, leaving Democrats with a difficult choice of accepting a House bill they have said is inadequate or risk being blamed for delaying a measure designed as a swift shot in the arm for the lagging U.S. economy.
The tally was 58-41 to end debate on the Senate measure, just short of the 60 votes Democrats would have needed to scale procedural hurdles and move the bill to a final vote.
Democratic presidential candidates Barack Obama of Illinois and Hillary Clinton of New York flew back to vote. GOP front-runner John McCain of Arizona did not vote.
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Page compiled from Tribune news services
