Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Negotiators on Capitol Hill are hoping today's the day for a final compromise on the economic stimulus package.

They hope to seal agreement after making good progress in the first rounds of closed-door talks.

Late yesterday, President Barack Obama's negotiating team appeared resigned to losing up to $40 billion in aid to state governments.

Earlier, the Senate sailed to approval of its $838 billion economic stimulus bill. Three moderate Republican senators who helped push the bill through are demanding that the final House-Senate compromise resemble the Senate measure.

Their support is key to keeping the bill on track when it's time to vote on the final legislation.

Negotiators are working with a target of about $800 billion for the final bill.