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CNN Live Saturday

President and Senate Democrats Clash Over Economic Stimulus Package

Aired December 08, 2001 - 17:11   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: Closer to home, the focus is more on political scuffles. With conflicting views over how to help the ailing economy, unity is out and partisanship rather is back in style.

And CNN White House correspondent Major Garrett has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MAJOR GARRETT, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In the time Congress has spent arguing over an economic stimulus bill, more than 800,000 workers have lost their jobs. And what does Congress have to show for all its work?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We haven't done anything. We haven't gotten down to substance yet.

GARRETT: The war-time unity that defined Congress immediately after the terrorist attacks has vanished. Partisanship has stalled economic stimulus and other White House priorities: education, energy and trade.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The American people expect the Senate and its leaders to find a way to work together and bridge their differences. Now is not the time for partisan politics. Now is the time for leadership. It's time to act.

GARRETT: Democrats say the Republican economic agenda rewards the wealthy and short-changes the suddenly jobless.

PARIS GLENDENING, GOVERNOR, MARYLAND: House Republicans even passed a bill that would give 16 of the nation's largest, most profitable companies, $7.4 billion worth of tax refunds dating back over the past 15 years.

GARRETT: Republicans say tax cuts will boost corporate investment and create jobs. Lawmakers were supposed to have hashed out this and other disputes over the weekend. But no one's talking. Why? Because the top Republican negotiator, Bill Thomas of California accused Democrats of changing the ground rules by demanding the final bill win support from two-thirds of Senate Democrats, which guarantees a more liberal bill than Thomas or the White House would like. An angry Thomas canceled the talks and flew home. REP. CHARLES RANGEL (D), WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE: This is not the first time he's stormed out of meetings. And I don't know, maybe New Yorkers are different, but if you get mad, you don't just pick up your marbles and go to California.

GARRETT: But Republicans say Democrats are the ones with selfish motives.

SEN. CHARLES GRASSLEY (R), IOWA: Well, when you have four or five Democratic senators that are running for president.

GARRETT (on camera): The President will push Senate Democrats even harder this week on economic stimulus and education reform. The White House hopes to have both accomplished by week's end. If not, Washington could find itself tied in partisan knots right up to Christmas weekend.

Major Garrett, CNN, the White House.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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