Senate passes stimulus package

WASHINGTON, Feb. 10 (UPI) -- The U.S. Senate passed an $838 billion economic stimulus plan Tuesday on a 61-37 vote.

"That's good news," U.S. President Barack Obama told a crowd at Fort Myers, Fla., during a town hall meeting on the stimulus package. "I want to thank all the members of the Senate who moved the process forward. ... It's a good start."

The measure now goes to a conference committee, where differences between the Senate and House of Representatives versions will be resolved. The House passed a $820 billion version nearly two weeks ago.

Republican Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe, both of Maine, and Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania -- joined all Democrats in the final vote.

In speeches leading up to the final vote, Republicans decried the bill as irresponsible, with Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, saying calling it an economic stimulus package is a "giant fraud" because the measure "is a giant spending package."

Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., criticized Republican complaints that the bill wasn't a bipartisan effort, noting "the two biggest amendments" -- an alternative minimum tax patch and a tax credit for home buyers -- were offered by Republicans.

"What more bipartisanship do you want?" Schumer said, noting the Democrats "have to scrounge, beg and plead" for three Republican votes to ensure the bill advanced.