WASHINGTON — The Senate has approved an $838-billion economic stimulus plan, handing President Barack Obama a major victory in his bid to create jobs and revive the nation’s ailing economy.
Three Republicans joined majority Democrats in the Senate Tuesday to approve the massive stimulus package by a vote of 61 to 37.
President Obama welcomed the vote during a town hall meeting in an economically ravaged community in Florida. He called the bill’s passage “a good start,” but cautioned there is still more work to do.
Obama has been campaigning intensely for quick passage of the stimulus package, appealing directly to Americans and publicly pressing lawmakers to have a bill ready for his signature by next week.
