Changes

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]]. Conservatives [[Republican]]s proposed a similar bill about one-third smaller in dollar terms, but were overwhelmed by solid [[Democratic]] control of the House.  The bill passed the [[Senate]] because three Republicans broke party ranks to vote for it; one of  them<ref> Senator [[Arlen Specter]] of [[Pennsylvania]]</ref> soon switched to the Democratic Party.

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]]. Conservative [[Republican]]s proposed a similar bill about one-third smaller in dollar terms, but were overwhelmed by solid [[Democratic]] control of the House.  The bill passed the [[Senate]] because three Republicans broke party ranks to vote for it; one of  them<ref> Senator [[Arlen Specter]] of [[Pennsylvania]]</ref> soon switched to the Democratic Party.

It was supported by Democrats and by the [[Obama Administration]].

It was supported by Democrats and by the [[Obama Administration]].