Congress Passes Stimulus Bill

WASHINGTON — Congress gave overwhelming final approval last night to legislation that would send government payments to most American households and grant tax incentives for business investment, sending President Bush a $152 billion stimulus plan for the faltering American economy.

The deal came yesterday after the Senate added low-income seniors and disabled veterans to the list of people who would receive money under a package previously approved by the House, then overwhelmingly approved the bill, 81 to 16. The House took up and passed the Senate measure last night in a 380 to 34 vote, ensuring that checks will begin reaching recipients by mid-May.

Congress's action on the stimulus package reflected not only the growing concerns in Washington that the nation has already slipped into a recession but also the desire to convince voters that the government is capable of responding quickly. It took just two weeks for House leaders from both parties to forge the initial deal with Mr. Bush, for the House to pass it overwhelmingly, for the Senate to amend it, and for Congress to put its final stamp on the legislation.

"This is the Senate at its finest, recognizing this was an opportunity to demonstrate to the public that we could come together, do something important for the country and do it quickly," the minority leader of the Senate, Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky, said. "We were able to put aside our differences not only in the Senate but with our colleagues in the House and with the administration."

"It's tremendous what we've been able to accomplish," the majority leader of the Senate, Harry Reid, a Nevada Democrat, added. Mr. Bush released a statement supporting the amended plan, saying it "is robust, broad-based, timely, and it will be effective. This bill will help to stimulate consumer spending and accelerate needed business investment." The logjam broke quickly after Mr. Reid concluded yesterday morning that he could not find one more Republican vote to approve consideration of a more expensive plan crafted by the Senate. Instead, the Senate added nearly $6 billion in benefits to the package fashioned by Mr. Bush, The speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat from California, and the minority leader of the House, John Boehner, an Ohio Republican.

The legislation would provide $600 payments for individuals — $1,200 for couples — plus $300 for each child younger than 17. It would begin to phase out eligibility at $75,000 in adjusted gross income for individuals and a t$150,000 for couples. Workers who can show $3,000 in earned income last year — too little on which to pay income taxes — would be eligible for payments of $300. The payments would be sent out separately from tax refunds.

Businesses would be given generous incentives to invest in new plants and equipment. The Federal Housing Administration and the federally-backed mortgage consolidators Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac would be allowed to insure larger home mortgages. On a 91-6 vote, the Senate added a provision granting $300 checks for seniors, disabled veterans, and veterans' widows who could show $3,000 in Social Security or veterans' disability benefits last year. In all, the tax checks will cost the Treasury $105.7 billion, all of which will be added to the budget deficit.