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The '''American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009''', called a "stimulus bill" by its supporters but branded a "pork bill" by its opponents, was passed by Congress on Friday the 13th of February 2009 after a vote sharply divided along party lines. The legislation's stated purpose was to invigorate an economy that was still spiralling downward in an ongoing [[Recession of 2008|recession]].  

The '''American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009''',(or '''ARRA''') called a "stimulus bill" by its supporters but branded a "pork bill" by its opponents, was passed by Congress on Friday the 13th of February 2009 after a vote sharply divided along party lines. The legislation's stated purpose was to invigorate an economy that was still spiralling downward in an ongoing [[Recession of 2008|recession]].  

* While some elements served the package's stated purpose and helped to soften the recession's impact, the overall package was not well designed to foster a speedy recovery or set the stage for long-term growth. Instead, the "stimulus" was oriented to sectors that liberal Democrats believe are deserving of much greater federal help. [http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703278604574624711732528426.html]

* While some elements served the package's stated purpose and helped to soften the recession's impact, the overall package was not well designed to foster a speedy recovery or set the stage for long-term growth. Instead, the "stimulus" was oriented to sectors that liberal Democrats believe are deserving of much greater federal help. [http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703278604574624711732528426.html]