House Appropriations Approves Stimulus Plan

It took several hours but the House Appropriations Committee passed its economic stimulus package last night in a 35 to 22 vote. The vote means the bill will likely make it to the House floor by Jan. 28. Committee chairman Rep. Dave Obey, D-Wisc., has said he hopes the bill will pass the Senate before the Presidents’ Day break.

Among the amendments added to the original bill:

• $150 million to purchase commodities for food banks.
• An extension of the authorization for the controversial E-Verify program for five years.
• A mandate that iron and steel used in construction projects funded by the bill be made in the United States.
• A requirement for contractors to pay their employees a prevailing wage.
• A provision to prevent Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich from directing the use of funds.