Changes

==Provisions==

==Provisions==

The details of the new act are still fuzzy, but the total of $789 billion includes $275 billion in tax cuts and $514 billion in new spending.  

The total of $789 billion includes $275 billion in tax cuts and $514 billion in new spending.  

[[Image:Stim1.jpg|thumb|380px|Cartoonist Chuck Asay summarizes the debate]]  

[[Image:Stim1.jpg|thumb|380px|Cartoonist Chuck Asay summarizes the debate]]  

It includes about $170 billion for infrastructure projects such as highways, internet broadband and public-housing repairs. Of that, about $40 billion will go to the Energy Department. Congress hopes that department will hand out grants quickly, but the department has a long record of delays and slow action. The act will fund projects to create a "smart" electric grid, build electric automobiles, and make homes and buildings more energy efficient.<ref> Stephen Power and Neil King, Jr. "Next Challenge on Stimulus: Spending All That Money," [http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123448815417580333.html?mod=rss_Politics_And_Policy '' Wall Street Journal'' Feb 13, 2009] </ref>

It includes $170 billion for infrastructure projects such as highways, internet broadband and public-housing repairs. Of that, about $40 billion will go to the Energy Department. The act will fund projects to create a "smart" electric grid, build electric automobiles, and make homes and buildings more energy efficient.<ref> Stephen Power and Neil King, Jr. "Next Challenge on Stimulus: Spending All That Money," [http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123448815417580333.html?mod=rss_Politics_And_Policy '' Wall Street Journal'' Feb 13, 2009] </ref>

There will be $275 billion in tax cuts, including a $800 cash rebate to most families that will be spread out over a year, and an extra $250 quick payment to every person over age 65. The spending provisions cover a very wide variety of projects.<ref> [http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/29/us/politics/29assess.html?hp David M. Herszenhorn, "Stimulus Package’s Components Vary in Speed and Efficiency," ''New York Times'' Jan. 28, 2009]</ref>

There will be $275 billion in tax cuts, including a $800 cash rebate to most families that will be spread out over a year, and an extra $250 quick payment to every person over age 65. The spending provisions cover a very wide variety of projects.<ref> [http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/29/us/politics/29assess.html?hp David M. Herszenhorn, "Stimulus Package’s Components Vary in Speed and Efficiency," ''New York Times'' Jan. 28, 2009]</ref>

Responding to public outrage against bankers who paid themselves billions of dollars in bonuses while their banks were collapsing and investors losing 95% of their money, the bill imposes tight restrictions on executive bonuses at financial institutions. The provision, inserted by Senate Democrats over the objections of the Obama administration, affects banks that have received financial bailout funds. It prohibits cash bonuses and almost all other incentive compensation for the five most senior officers and the 20 highest-paid executives at large companies that receive money under the Treasury’s Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP.  Bonuses are limited to one-third of salary and must be in a form that is paid out only after the banks repay their loans from the government.<ref> Edmund L. Andrews and Eric Dash, "Stimulus Plan Sets New Limits on Executive Pay," [http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/14/business/economy/14pay.html?ref=business ''New York Times'' Feb. 13, 2009]</ref>

Responding to public outrage against bankers who paid themselves billions of dollars in bonuses while their banks were collapsing and investors losing 95% of their money, the bill imposes tight restrictions on executive bonuses at financial institutions. The provision, inserted by Senate Democrats over the objections of the Obama administration, affects banks that have received financial bailout funds. It prohibits cash bonuses and almost all other incentive compensation for the five most senior officers and the 20 highest-paid executives at large companies that receive money under the Treasury’s Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP.  Bonuses are limited to one-third of salary and must be in a form that is paid out only after the banks repay their loans from the government.<ref> Edmund L. Andrews and Eric Dash, "Stimulus Plan Sets New Limits on Executive Pay," [http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/14/business/economy/14pay.html?ref=business ''New York Times'' Feb. 13, 2009]</ref>

==Conservative criticism==

==Conservative criticism==