THE US Senate has passed a $US838 billion economic stimulus plan, touching off difficult compromise negotiations with the House aimed at sending President Barack Obama a final bill this week.
Senators voted 61-37 to approve the package overnight, setting the stage for talks aimed at reconciling differences between their legislation and the House of Representatives' rival $US819 billion plan.
Leaders of the Democratic majorities in both chambers have said they will work as long as it takes to get a final package to Mr Obama, who has urged lawmakers to meet a self-imposed February 16 deadline for doing so. |