MS Senators Say Stimulus Bill Still Needs Work

Mississippi’s two Republican senators voted against the economic stimulus bill Tuesday. They said it was the wrong cure for an ailing economy. Deirdre Shesgreen reports.

The $838 billion dollar recovery package passed the Senate with 61 votes, just enough to stave off a Republican filibuster.

Democrats say the mix of tax cuts and infrastructure spending will create jobs and spur economic growth.

But Mississippi Senator Roger Wicker said the bill was too expensive and wouldn’t rev the economy.

WICKER: “We need to redirect this bill, build it back up from the ground, laser focus on housing, which is what got us into this problem, on job creation, on encouraging small business to create jobs and then some targeted shovel ready infrastructure projects.”

Senator Thad Cochran said the bill focuses too much on boosting government programs and not enough on helping American businesses.

COCHRAN: “Well I think the emphasis ought to be on tax changes that will encourage investments in business and job creating activity. That’s what we need.”

The Senate measure still needs to be reconciled with a different version that passed the House.

From Capitol News Connection, I’m Deirdre Shesgreen, MPB News