"We're all kind of worried here because we don't know what's going on," said Caterpillar worker Mike Belville.
Caterpillar's CEO told the White House that if the stimulus becomes law, the company may be able to re-hire some of the twenty-thousand workers it planned to lay off.
"What's at stake here are not abstract numbers or abstract concepts. We're talking about real families, that we can help and real jobs that we can save," said Obama.
The stimulus bill's final price tag of $789-billion dollars represents tough concessions made between Democrats and Republicans.
"This is obviously a very difficult vote in view of a large deficit of national debt which we have," said Sen. Arlen Specter (R) Pennsylvania.
"We have come to an agreement with the Senate as to how we will go forward," said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D) California.
It includes about $282 billion dollars in tax cuts, a little more than $300 billion dollars in spending for infrastructure and education, and a little less than $200 billion dollars in aid to states facing budget shortfalls. Still most Republicans are furious.
"I've got to tell you; from everything I'm hearing about the so-called deal, I'm very disappointed," said Rep. John Boehner (R) House Minority Leader.
Political watchers said this bill means the president and his party own the economy, taking credit if it helps to turn around the failing economy, or shouldering the blame if it doesn't.
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