Bush says he supports Senate stimulus plan

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 (UPI) -- The U.S. Senate's changes to an economic stimulus package are ones President George Bush said he could back.

"Today the Senate amended that bill in ways I can support," Bush said in a statement. "This plan is robust, broad-based, timely, and it will be effective. The bill will help to stimulate consumer spending and accelerate needed business investment."

The package of tax rebates, small-business tax breaks and housing-related legislation was reached by a bipartisan agreement between House Democratic and Republican leadership and the administration. Senate changes to the bill would extend rebate checks to low-income senior and disabled veterans and their spouses, but not to illegal immigrants.

The Senate passed the measure Thursday. It returns to the House for reconsideration.