Senate may add to stimulus package

Sen. Olympia J. Snowe, R-Maine, a Finance Committee member, called the unemployment extension “critical” and said she supported ensuring that the rebates reached the elderly.

In another key difference, Baucus’ plan would send rebates to all Americans with earned income of $3,000 or more, while the House plan gives only partial rebates to individuals with adjusted gross incomes of more than $75,000 and couples with incomes in excess of $150,000, and no rebate at all to the wealthiest taxpayers.

Bush was pushing for Congress to move quickly on the agreement without additions.

“The president is concerned about efforts that would delay or derail the bipartisan package that was negotiated with House leaders,” White House spokesman Tony Fratto said. “The Senate is threatening to create partisan conflict by trying to put in additional programs.”

Still, pressure from the elderly and labor unions — both politically potent forces — spurred senators from both parties to call for the extras.

The House plan leaves out some 20 million seniors, according to the AARP.

The Senate measure includes a 13-week extension of unemployment payments for those whose benefits have run out, and a 26-week extension in states where the jobless rate exceeds 6 percent.

Including seniors who don’t pay taxes “is a good step,” said David Certner, AARP’s legislative director. He said senators were responding to a flood of elderly people who have contacted lawmakers about the stimulus plan and asked, “’Why aren’t seniors part of this rebate package? We’re hurting. We spend money.”’

The Senate measure also restores a business tax break dropped from the House bill that would permit corporations suffering losses now to reclaim taxes previously paid.

“This is a package in sync with the House bill but stronger and broader,” said Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y. “We hope and expect it will get bipartisan support.”

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