Along-awaited economic stimulus bill continues to advance on Capitol Hill as Democrats push to meet their goal of having a final measure on President Barack Obama’s desk by about Feb. 16. But Senate Republicans continue to criticize the packages as being too big and contend that not enough of the money will turn into programs or projects that create jobs in the next year to two years. Still, the GOP may not have the votes to derail the packages.
Todd Hauptli, American Association of Airport Executives’ senior executive vice president, thinks the bills will clear the House and Senate and negotiators from the two chambers will work out differences over the next couple of weeks. Lawmakers’ progress has been frustratingly slow to state and construction industry officials anxiously seeking relief from the recession. But Hauptli says, “They’re still moving at lightning speed by legislative standards.”