Reid: We Did Not Rubber-Stamp the Stimulus

The stimulus package passed by Congress last week was not a “rubber-stamp” for the Obama administration and contained significant ideas from both parties, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) argued in a speech before the Nevada state legislature.

“Despite our affection for President Obama, and the strong Democratic majorities in Congress, we did not simply rubber-stamp the president’s plan,” Reid said in ad address to a joint session of state lawmakers this week.

“Democrats and Republicans engaged in a serious and vigorous debate, and ideas from both parties were adopted to improve this historic legislation,” the Senate Democratic leader added.

Reid’s rhetoric differs significantly from those of Senate Republicans, who have loudly argued in recent weeks that the plan was anything but, especially considering the party-line votes on many amendments offered to the stimulus.

Reid’s counterpart, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) last week called the proposal a partisan plan, though it did manage to pick off three Republican lawmakers in the Senate.

“A partisan bill that spends a trillion dollars, including interest, of the taxpayer