27 Jan Wisconsin's David Obey: Defense and no apologies from author of fiscal bill
When House Republicans look at the $825 billion economic package headed toward a vote this week, they do not see President Obama. To them, the bill personifies Representative David R. Obey, the prickly Wisconsin Democrat who is chairman of the Appropriations Committee and has spent 40 years in Congress as a champion of federal spending.
Included in the package is $30 billion to subsidize health insurance for those who lose their jobs, $20 billion to accelerate new healthcare information technology, $1 billion to renovate community health centers, $600 million to train health care workers, $15 billion to increase college Pell Grants and $4 billion to help communities buy and improve distressed properties.
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