Bush Wants Economic Stimulus Package (2/2)

The president spoke Thursday with leaders from both political parties in both houses of Congress. He says he believes a deal can be worked out soon.

In the Democratic radio address, Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank says Republicans and Democrats should act together and act quickly.

"In terms of immediate stimulus, Democrats stand ready to work with the president and congressional Republicans to put together a bipartisan package including tax rebates for most Americans and one-time increases in programs directed at those who are bearing the heaviest burdens in this economy."

Frank is chairman of the House Financial Services Committee. He says economists agree that middle and working class people are most likely to spend additional money in ways that stimulate the economy and create jobs.

Democrats want to extend unemployment benefits and boost food aid for the poor as part of the stimulus package. That social spending may face opposition from the president who says the deal should not include spending projects with little immediate impact on the economy.

President Bush remains determined to make his record tax cuts permanent, but he removed what would have been a big obstacle to any deal by agreeing not to include that demand in this request for a temporary economic stimulus.

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总统周四同两议院的两党领导人讲话时说，他相信很快就会达成解决问题的协议。

在民主党广播讲话中，马萨诸塞州议员巴尼•弗兰克说，共和党和民主党应当齐心协力尽快行动。

“为了在短期内刺激经济，民主党已经准备好随时和总统以及国会中的共和党人一起合作制定一个适合两党的成套方案，其中包括向多数美国居民退税，及针对在经济中负担最重的人而实行的一次性加大退税。”

弗兰克是金融服务委员会主席。他说经济学家都认为中产阶级和工薪阶级最可能将额外资金用于刺激经济和创造工作机会方面。

民主党希望将扩大失业人群的福利和增加贫困人口的食物援助作为刺激经济成套方案的一部分。这些社会福利支持可能遭到总统的反对，总统认为刺激经济增长的方案不应该包括那些对经济没什么作用的开支项目。

布什总统决心将他打破记录的减税措施永久化，不过他同意在要求得到这个暂时的经济刺激计划中，不包括他的这个要求，这样就排除了可能出现的重大障碍。