Not So Fast
We've learned from sources that House Democrats are scheduled to meet at 5:30 p.m. for an emergency caucus to discuss the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. they were supposed to meet hours ago, but the backroom session has been postponed. Seems the $789B compromise deal announced by Senate leaders earlier isn't so done.
Meanwhile, Politico is reporting that the Congressional Black Caucus and other progressive groups want to reinstate several spending items:
Progressive Democrats and members of the Congressional Black Caucus would like to see more money for social spending programs that was cut from the Senate package over the weekend in a deal with three moderate Republican senators. It's not clear if they will get all their wishes, but the deal announced this afternoon will be finalized in the coming hours.The CBC sent House negotiators a letter Wednesday asking them to add an additional $4.2 billion for the federal government to lend states money to acquire foreclosed homes, another $4 billion for job-training programs and $14 billion for school construction.
They would also like to see more money for broadband Internet access for impoverished neighborhoods and protections in the bill to ensure minority-owned businesses will benefit.
Stay tuned.
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