WASHINGTON — An economic aid plan to send rebates to most taxpayers passed a key test Monday in the Senate, where Democrats are pushing to add more than $40 billion in help for seniors, disabled veterans and the unemployed.
Democrats were ratcheting up pressure on Republicans to support the add-ons, part of a proposal to pump $204 billion into the economy over the next two years.
The Senate voted 80-4 Monday evening to advance that package, setting the stage for a test vote as early as Wednesday on Democrats’ much larger proposal.
The Senate measure would send $500 to $1,000 rebates to a wider group of people than the House measure covers, add $14.5 billion in jobless benefits and include $5.6 billion in renewable energy tax breaks over the next 10 years. The rebates would extend to 20 million senior citizens and 250,000 disabled veterans left out of the House bill because they don’t earn enough to qualify.
The House passed its $161 billion economic stimulus package last week with overwhelming backing from both parties. The House package would send rebates of $600 to $1,200 to most taxpayers.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said last week that the Senate plan didn’t have enough support to advance, but on Monday he said a new proposal that includes $1 billion in heating aid for the poor and a housing rescue package included in the House bill could pass and be enacted quickly.
“All Americans should know that their rebate checks will not be delayed a single minute as a result of our debate,” Reid said.
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