Obama wins $825bn bail-out

Barack Obama's $825 billion economic stimulus package was today expected to pass through a sharply divided House of Representatives.

Although most House Republicans were expected to oppose the proposal, saying it needs more tax cuts and less spending, Democrats were confident they had the votes to push it through as they sought a final bill for Mr Obama to sign into law by mid-February.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat, said today: "Some of us have heard the voice of the American people and their call for change."

The proposals to kick-start the US economy were being boosted behind the scenes as Mr Obama made a series of personal pleas to Republicans who opposed his plans. The president held face-to-face meetings with Republican leaders and urged them to "keep politics to a minimum" for the sake of the country.

Mr Obama was given encouragement early today as the US Senate finance committee approved approximately $522 billion for the stimulus package.

The Democratic-led Senate was expected to pass a more costly version of the proposal, which would force the two chambers to work out differences. But before the Senate votes, Republicans are hoping to win some modifications that would be supported by the Democratic president.

Mr Obama yesterday stressed the need for urgency: "The main message I have is that the statistics every day underscore the urgency of the economic situation. The American people expect action." He wants the money in place by the middle of next month so it can be distributed to create jobs and turn around the economy.