The Real Test Comes Next Week

Who expected House Republicans to pay asking price?

In the historic vote on President Obama’s economic rescue package last night, not a single Republican supported the bill. And why should they? It was a free vote, for both parties, aware that the bill in the end isn’t likely to look much like the one they passed.

At least, it shouldn’t. House Democrats wrote it, and Obama let them, but the question now is whether he will get in the driver’s seat as it moves through the Senate and to a conference.

My feeling is that the sod for the Mall and funding for contraceptives won’t be the last ornaments to be taken off the tree. There will be horse-trading in the Senate over tax cuts, likely targeted at small businesses, and possibly an Alternative Minimum Tax patch, so the vote in that chamber is likely to be bipartisan.

Then comes the conference, during which Obama will have to pressure House Democrats to drop the liberal social spending that can’t pass the test of emergency spending. If he can, there are House Republicans who — even without more tax cuts — will come around to support an increase in traditional infrastructure spending that would directly create more jobs. Obama doesn’t have to add significantly more tax relief to get some Republicans onboard, but clearly, the funny money has got to go.

If Obama wants to change the way business is done in Washington, he can do it next week, by facing down his own party.

SHOULD CONGRESS PASS A THIRD TARP? Ask A.B. returns Monday, Feb. 2. Please join my weekly video Q&A by sending your questions and comments to askab@digital-stage.thehill.com. Thank you.