布什行政当局和国会议员看来接近就刺激正在滑坡的美国经济法案达成协议。
美国财政部长保尔森星期三与美国众议院议长佩洛西以及众议院共和党领袖博纳举行了三次长长的会谈。博纳表示各方都对达成协议抱有希望。预计双方星期四举行新一轮会谈。
刺激经济方案预计将耗资多达1千5百亿美元，包括为了促进新的投资而给企业减免税收，以及向纳税的个人退税800到1600美元。
民主党议员在佩洛西领导下努力把退税范围扩大到那些收入不足以交税的低收入美国人。
The Bush administration and congressional lawmakers appear to be nearing an agreement on legislation to boost the slumping U.S. economy.
Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson held three lengthy negotiating sessions Wednesday with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Republican leader John Boehner. Boehner says all sides were “hopeful” about a possible deal. The two sides are expected to hold another round of meetings today (Thursday).
The stimulus package is expected to cost as much as 150-billion dollars. It will include income tax breaks for businesses to spur new investment, and tax rebates for individuals between 800 and 16-hundred dollars.
Democratic lawmakers, led by Pelosi, are pushing to extend the tax rebates for low-income Americans who do not make enough to pay income tax.