Funding For Economic Stimulus Blocked

Republicans in the U.S. Senate have blocked a move by Democrats to add more funding for the elderly, the unemployed and disabled veterans to the economic stimulus bill.  The additions would have added more than $40 billion to the measure.  It would have provided checks to some of those excluded from a tax rebate proposal.

A handful of Republicans joined with Democrats in support of the add-ons, but they were strongly opposed by GOP leaders and President Bush.