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UPDATE 2-Broad US economic stimulus bill not likely soon-aide

Tue, Nov 18 2008, 00:44 GMT
http://www.afxnews.com

By Richard Cowan

WASHINGTON, Nov 17 (Reuters) - A broad economic stimulus bill, which President-elect Barack Obama wants the U.S. Congress to pass promptly, is not likely to be approved by the Senate during its short legislative session this week, a top Senate aide said on Monday.

Jim Manley, a spokesman for Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, said he was hopeful, however, that the Senate would be able to pass legislation extending jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed.

"Unfortunately, it doesn't look like the Republicans will allow us to pass a comprehensive stimulus package," Manley said. "Hopefully, we will be able to pass an extension of unemployment insurance benefits."

Later in the day, Reid and Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Robert Byrd announced details of a $100 billion economic stimulus bill that they said would create more than 635,000 jobs and give new help to struggling domestic automakers.

The measure would include $13.5 billion for road, bridge, mass transit and other construction projects and nearly $38 billion to help states pay Medicaid health-care costs for the poor.

Food stamp benefits for the poor would be increased temporarily by 10 percent and other federal feeding programs also would be bolstered.

Many Republicans in the Senate and House of Representatives have criticized the Democrats' plans for additional economic stimulus -- including billions of dollars for road and bridge rebuilding -- saying the money would not effectively jump-start the economy in the short-term.

But the U.S. Conference of Mayors has estimated that 4,591 infrastructure projects, at a cost of $24.4 billion, are "ready to go" and that they would immediately create jobs and "stimulate main street economies."

Obama, who will be sworn in as president on Jan. 20, has called on Congress to use this week's post-election session to approve a broad economic stimulus bill and some Democrats have talked about spending at least $150 billion.

Obama said if Congress does not pass such a measure this year, it would be at the top of his agenda once he becomes president.

In September, the House approved up to 20 weeks of additional benefits for the long-term unemployed, at a cost of about $6.5 billion.

(Additional reporting by Lisa Lambert; editing by David Wiessler and Bill Trott) Keywords: USA ECONOMY/STIMULUS

(richard.cowan@thomsonreuters.com; Reuters Messaging: richard.cowan.reuters.com@reuters.net; 202-898-8391)

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