VOA标准英语2009年-Divided US Senate Considers Economic Stimulus B

The U.S. Senate has begun consideration of economic recovery legislation, as minority Republicans continue to call for changes to a measure President Barack Obama said is critical to address the U.S. economic crisis. Republicans are renewing their opposition¹ to the legislation in its current form.
　
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (file photo)

Before the Senate took up its version, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell made clear that Republicans believe several changes are needed to the legislation as it emerged from a House of Representatives vote last week.

That bill received no support from House Republicans who voiced concern about the effectiveness of a timeline that would distribute about $820 billion to various sectors² of the economy. A Senate version now stands at about $890 billion.

Senator McConnell outlined two areas Republicans are focusing on.

"I have indicated where we think it ought to go. Fix housing first, tax relief for middle and lower income taxpayers³ to put money back in their pockets immediatel," he said.

Asked whether Republicans are prepared to have the cost of the measure increase to accommodate those changes, McConnell said doing so would not make it more appealing.

Later, statements on the Senate floor by Democrats⁵ and Republicans reflected divisions over the bill.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman, Democrat⁴ Max Baucus stressed the need for urgent action. Thad Cochran, ranking Republican on the Senate Appropriations⁶ Committee, questioned how far it would go toward stimulating⁷ the economy.
　
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Sen. Max Baucus talks with reporters at a news conference on 08 Jan 2009

BAUCUS: "The package that we are considering this week is our best effort to reach a consensus⁸ on the economic recovery bill that can pass the Senate and the House quickly. The nation clearly demands action, and action now."

COCHRAN: "There is a great deal of spending in this bill that is not immediately stimulative⁹. The majority describes it as 'investments in our nation's future'. We have the responsibility to deliberate and consider these items carefully."

President Obama said on Monday that differences over the economic bill are "very modest" and should not delay passage of the measure.

"With very few exceptions, I heard from Republicans and Democrats [about] the need for action, and swift action. And that's what we have tried to do in moving this package forward," he said.

The president and majority Democrats are aiming for mid-February passage of the measure, which would reduce taxes for millions of Americans, expand spending for numerous domestic programs, and provide billions of dollars to U.S. states suffering the sharp effects economic recession.
　
Pres. Barack Obama meets with Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas, 02 Feb 2009, in the White House

The president was joined at a White House event on Monday by the Republican governor of Vermont, Jim Douglas, who underscored the importance of the legislation.

"This is a serious matter. It's the kind of recession that is deep, that appears to be long. And the only way we're going to get the country moving again is a partnership¹⁰ between the states and the federal government," said Douglas.

Senator McConnell said legislation Republicans could find acceptable would have to be "dramatically different" from the House-passed measure or the version now being considered on the Senate floor.

He declined to say what procedural tactics Republicans might employ or what amendments¹¹ they might offer, as the bill heads toward a possible vote by the end of the week.

Majority Leader Harry¹² Reid said Democrats will set no limitations on amendments during the debate.

1 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

2 sectors   

n.部门( sector的名词复数 )；领域；防御地区；扇形

参考例句：

• Berlin was divided into four sectors after the war. 战后柏林分成了4 个区。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Industry and agriculture are the two important sectors of the national economy. 工业和农业是国民经济的两个重要部门。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

3 taxpayers   

纳税人，纳税的机构( taxpayer的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Finance for education comes from taxpayers. 教育经费来自纳税人。
• She was declaiming against the waste of the taxpayers' money. 她慷慨陈词猛烈抨击对纳税人金钱的浪费。

4 democrat   

n.民主主义者，民主人士；民主党党员

参考例句：

• The Democrat and the Public criticized each other.民主党人和共和党人互相攻击。
• About two years later,he was defeated by Democrat Jimmy Carter.大约两年后，他被民主党人杰米卡特击败。

5 democrats   

n.民主主义者，民主人士( democrat的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The Democrats held a pep rally on Capitol Hill yesterday. 民主党昨天在国会山召开了竞选誓师大会。
• The democrats organize a filibuster in the senate. 民主党党员组织了阻挠议事。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 appropriations   

n.挪用（appropriation的复数形式）

参考例句：

• More commonly, funding controls are imposed in the annual appropriations process. 更普遍的作法是，拨款控制被规定在年度拨款手续中。 来自英汉非文学 - 行政法
• Should the president veto the appropriations bill, it goes back to Congress. 假如总统否决了这项拨款提案，就把它退还给国会。 来自英汉非文学 - 政府文件

7 stimulating   

adj.有启发性的，能激发人思考的

参考例句：

• shower gel containing plant extracts that have a stimulating effect on the skin 含有对皮肤有益的植物精华的沐浴凝胶
• This is a drug for stimulating nerves. 这是一种兴奋剂。

8 consensus   

n.(意见等的)一致，一致同意，共识

参考例句：

• Can we reach a consensus on this issue?我们能在这个问题上取得一致意见吗？
• What is the consensus of opinion at the afternoon meeting?下午会议上一致的意见是什么？

9 stimulative   

n.刺激，促进因素adj.刺激的，激励的，促进的

参考例句：

• Do you want to enjoy the absolutely stimulative experience? 你想享受魔兽游戏带来的绝对刺激的体验吗？ 来自互联网
• Discussed follow pattern of demand, the way that stimulative technology progresses. 探讨了遵循供求规律，促进技术进步的途径。 来自互联网

10 partnership   

n.合作关系，伙伴关系

参考例句：

• The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation.这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
• Martin has taken him into general partnership in his company.马丁已让他成为公司的普通合伙人。

11 amendments   

（法律、文件的）改动( amendment的名词复数 )； 修正案； 修改； （美国宪法的）修正案

参考例句：

• The committee does not adequately consult others when drafting amendments. 委员会在起草修正案时没有充分征求他人的意见。
• Please propose amendments and addenda to the first draft of the document. 请对这个文件的初稿提出修改和补充意见。

12 harry   

vt.掠夺，蹂躏，使苦恼

参考例句：

• Today,people feel more hurried and harried.今天，人们感到更加忙碌和苦恼。
• Obama harried business by Healthcare Reform plan.奥巴马用医改掠夺了商界。