Obama’s $US819 billion bill gets the green light

The Democratic-controlled US House of Representatives has approved an $US819 billion economic stimulus package critical to President Barack Obama’s plan to revive the economy.

The House vote came after days of intense lobbying by the new president, including personal appeals to congressional Republicans.

The minority party’s lawmakers spurned Obama, however, saying the bill contained too much spending and not enough tax cuts.

Democrats argued that the bill was imperative with the economy in the worst shape since the Great Depression during the 1930s.

The legislation includes an estimated $US544 billion in federal spending and $US275 billion in tax cuts for individuals and businesses. It includes money for highway construction and mass transit.

The Senate is working on a costlier version of the bill.

AP

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