House to begin stimulus debate Tuesday

House Democrats hurriedly added the economic stimulus bill to a Monday evening
Rules Committee meeting in a move designed to allow general debate on the legislation
to begin Tuesday.

The $825 billion measure had been scheduled to come before the Rules
Committee – which will write the resolution paving the way for the bill to be
brought to the floor – on Tuesday so it could be debated on Wednesday.

{mosads}But House Democrats altered their strategy, and decided to opt for two
separate Rules Committee meetings: One on Monday night to consider the standing
bill and one on Tuesday afternoon to consider the rules governing amendments.

The House is still scheduled to vote on final passage of the bill Wednesday
night.  Until the Tuesday Rules Committee meeting, it will be uncertain
how many amendments will be allowed to be debated on the floor.

Over the weekend, House Republican leaders reaffirmed their objections
to the Democratic bill. Minority Leader John Boehner (Ohio) said on NBC’s “Meet
the Press” that he would not vote for the bill in its current form.

President Obama is slated to speak to Republican members on Tuesday
morning during their weekly conference meeting.

House Democrats are holding firm to their commitment to clear the bill
through their chamber this week. And with the GOP retreat scheduled to begin on
Thursday, Wednesday is the last day that the House will be able to meet for
regular legislative business this week.