The Senate is expected to vote later Friday on the conference report on the $787 billion economic stimulus package, sending the bill to President Barack Obama in the next few days.
Earlier Friday, the House voted 246-183 to approve the conference report for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which merged the differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill. No Republicans voted for the report, while seven Democrats voted against. When the House voted on the bill last week, 11 Democrats voted against it.
The Senate is discussing the stimulus package now on the floor, though a vote time hasn’t been scheduled. The Senate’s vote on its version of the stimulus was 61-37 with three Republicans voting yes.
The bill may be ready for Obama’s signature by Presidents’ Day, a deadline set by congressional leadership. Congress is scheduled to recess next week for work in home districts.
