GOP Balks at Stimulus Plan

The $825 billion stimulus plan before Congress has hit a wall of Republican objections despite the president's call for bipartisan unity, reports the Washington Post. GOP lawmakers charge that Democrats have shut them out of the decision-making process and that the plan pours cash into Democratic agenda items like arts funding, but will do little to boost the economy.

Some believe in Barack Obama's commitment to bipartisanship, but doubt his ability to control congressional Democrats, say GOP lawmakers. Democrats counter that the GOP is being unrealistic. "Yes, we wrote the bill. Yes, we won the election," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The GOP's thinned ranks in Congress mean the package will likely pass despite opposition, but with votes split firmly along party lines. (More economic stimulus package stories.)