Capitol Hill action on an economic stimulus bill has shifted to the Senate floor, where on Feb. 2 debate began on an $884.5-billion package of spending and tax breaks. The measure's estimated $160 billion in construction-related spending appears safe, and Senate infrastructure advocates are trying to boost that total higher. But they probably will need to propose offsetting spending cuts to win approval for any increases. The first key floor vote, on Feb. 3, didn't go well for public-works supporters. Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) offered an amendment to add $25 billion to the bill's $41.4-billion combined allocation for highway, transit, water and sewer projects. But Murray didn't propose any offsetting spending cuts; critics, nearly all Republicans, blocked her measure on a procedural vote. After that setback, one option being considered is proposing the amendment again, but with an offset, a congressional source says.
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