VOA常速英语2008年-Bush to Sign Economic Stimulus Plan

President Bush will approve more than $150 billion in tax rebates² Monday as part of a plan to stimulate³ the U.S. economy. VOA White House Correspondent Scott Stearns reports, opposition⁴ Democrats⁵ say more action is needed to help poorer Americans.

President Bush is accepting Senate changes to a stimulus⁶ package he previously⁷ agreed to with the House of Representatives.

The White House blocked efforts to extend unemployment benefits but agreed to the Senate adding refunds⁸ for older Americans. The plan Mr. Bush signs Monday will give tax rebates of up to $600 per person in more than 100 million American households.

New York Congressman⁹ Charles Rangel is Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. In the Democratic party's radio address, he says the stimulus plan is a good first step, but he wants President Bush to address what Rangel says are underlying¹⁰ weaknesses in the U.S. economy affecting lower and middle class taxpayers¹¹.

"We look forward to working with the president in a bipartisan way," he said.  "We haven't enjoyed this in the past. But in the last few months of his administration, it gives us an opportunity to work together to avoid people having to say, 'I work everyday. I want my dignity. I want my pride. And I don't want to have the government give me a rebate¹.'"

In the president's weekly radio address, Mr. Bush called on Senators to move quickly to approve his nominees¹² to important posts in public safety, the economy, and national security, including at the Department of Justice and Federal Reserve Board.

"The Fed decides monetary¹³ policy, and it sets key interest rates that have an impact on homeowners and businesses across our country," he said.  "Yet the Senate has been delaying three of my nominations¹⁵ to the Fed for nearly nine months. My nominees have valuable experience and skills, and I urge the Senate to confirm them as soon as possible."

Mr. Bush says Senate delays on 28 of his judicial¹⁶ nominees are irresponsible and undermine the cause of justice.

Senate Democrats say the president is unwilling¹⁷ to compromise on nominees they consider extreme. Among those is Steven Bradbury, whose nomination¹⁴ as assistant attorney general is opposed by many Senators, because he signed a series of memos¹⁸ approving harsh CIA interrogation techniques on suspected terrorists.