Nationalists Want Smaller, Trimmed-Down Stimulus Package

The economy may be rebounding, but Nationalists say stimulus package could speed up recovery

MAVOCKE, CEA--The economy may be rebounding, but Nationalist lawmakers say a stimulus package would speed up the economic recovery process.

President Menuhaeo and Congress have been trying for months to pass a stimulus package. But Conservatives and Nationalists have disagreed so much on the proposed idea that a final bill has never been passed in the bitterly divided Congress.

Now, after months of attempted negotiations, the economy appears to be returning to a level state. But Nationalist senators and President Menuhaeo are still trying to pass a stimulus package. This time, however, they want a smaller, trimmed-down version instead of the massive $800 billion package originally proposed back in June, which was defeated in the National Assembly as well as the Senate.

Several NAT senators announced Wednesday they are pushing for a smaller and slimmer stimulus package that they say will provide assistance to small businesses, families, and large corporations, but will not bankrupt the federal treasury.

"The economy may be rebounding, but there are still families struggling all across this country and the government has a responsibility to help them out," Senator Tom O'Hearn (N-WIK) told STAR News.

Senator Stephanie Manning (N-LIA) is also calling for a stimulus package because the country "needs a financial boost" to "get back in the game."

"We have to compete globally, and that means our economy has to be top-notch, and we're not there right now," Manning told a local TV station in Koeurn, Lial. "A stimulus package isn't the entire answer, but it's a big part of the solution."

Conservative senators, however, are not convinced a stimulus package is necessary.

"The economy is on the rebound. It's on the upswing. And now we're talking about a stimulus package? The time to pass a stimulus package was six months ago, not now," Senator John BiGadi (C-LIA) told reporters in Mavocke Wednesday.

Armana Senator Joel Zuckermann agrees with his Conservative colleagues, saying not only is a stimulus package unnecessary, but also "a waste of tax-payer dollars."

"During this time, the government ought to be tightening its belt and limiting spending. A stimulus package is just going to add to our spending and put the government further in the hole," Zuckermann told the press outside his Mavocke office Wednesday afternoon.

Because the proposed stimulus package is so controversial, a bi-partisan group of senators has been formed in the Senate to help work out a compromised proposal. The six-member group consists of Senate Finance Committee Chairman Dana Glow, a Conservative from Armana, as well as CNS Sens. Jay Burns of Deschire and Curt Blaisek of Remmington. Senators Jean Chaveau (DMG), Eli Dundree (KLN) and Stephanie Manning (LIA) will represent the NAT in those negotiations.

President Menuhaeo said Tuesday he wants a stimulus package passed by September 25, giving the bi-partisan group little time to work out a deal. Senate Majority Leader George Landers (C-CEA) has agreed to vote on the matter on September 25.