Demos mull economic stimulus

Democrats are considering a second economic stimulus measure this year that may include more spending on food stamps and infrastructure projects, said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

Reid said he would discuss the idea with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

"It's going to be really hard" for lawmakers to complete work on a package before Congress leaves for its August recess, Reid said. He said Democrats want to complete work on the plan this year.

Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the chamber's No. 2 Democrat, said another spending package is "likely" and may include additional disaster aid such as funding to help fight wildfires in California.

White House Office of Management and Budget spokeswoman Corinne Hirsch declined to comment on a "hypothetical bill."

The Senate is trying to wrap up work this week on a housing bill aimed at boosting the nation's sagging economy by helping as many as 400,000 Americans avoid foreclosure.

In February, President George W. Bush signed into a law a $168 billion fiscal stimulus plan that provided tax-rebate checks to millions of Americans. So far the government has distributed more than 100 million payments worth a total of $86.079 billion, according to an estimate released last week by the Treasury Department.

Comments