WASHINGTON " In the first major test of President Barack Obama's ability to push his ambitious agenda through Congress, the House on Wednesday approved the largest attempt since World War II to use the federal budget to redirect the course of the nation's economy.
Obama had worked hard to gain bipartisan support for the $819 billion stimulus package, beginning to negotiate possible compromises with Republicans even before entering the White House. But the measure passed on a strict party-line vote, 244-188. No Republican supported the bill, and only 11 out of 255 Democrats opposed it.
The real test is whether the president's plan helps halt what has threatened to become an economic death spiral. The answer to that question will come not from Washington, but in cities, neighborhoods and rural areas across the country as the bill's effect becomes clear among workers, employers and state and local governments.
Despite Wednesday's partisan outcome, the president praised the House vote and urged quick action in the Senate. "What we can't do is drag our feet or allow the same partisan differences to get in our way," Obama said. "We must move swiftly and boldly to put Americans back to work, and that is exactly what this plan begins to do."
With Obama and Democratic leaders intent on enacting an economic stimulus plan by mid-February, the Senate is expected to vote next week on its version of the bill " broadly similar to the House plan but more expensive. A House-Senate conference will resolve differences, and Democratic leaders have pledged to have a final bill to the White House before the President's Day recess or to keep members in session until they act.
"We don't have a moment to spare," Obama said before the House vote.
Although solidly unified on the final vote, even some Democrats worried that the bill " which was drafted by House Democrats working closely with Obama's aides and approved just eight days after his inauguration "might not achieve its enormous goals.
And some lawmakers squirmed at having to approve so much deficit spending to attack a problem they blame on former President George W. Bush and the GOP.
What carried the day for these Democrats was heavy political pressure to take some bold action to alleviate the anxiety and misfortune their constituents face.
"There are a million reasons to vote against it, but the problem is there are a million and one reasons to vote for it," said one freshman House Democrat who asked not to be named so he could speak candidly about his ambivalence.