The U.S. House of Representatives plans to debate legislation this month to inject an additional $50 billion into the slowing U.S. economy, mostly with the goal of creating new jobs, congressional aides said Monday. Amid worries of wider economic damage from turmoil in financial markets, the $50 billion would seek to address needed infrastructure construction projects that create jobs, aides told Reuters. The money also would be used to help low-income families pay winter heating bills and to extend benefits for unemployed Americans. Senator Carl Levin (Democrat from Michigan) told reporters that an economic-stimulus plan he wants the Senate to pass is also about $50 billion. Earlier this year, a $168 billion stimulus package was enacted. Congress and the Bush administration worked together to pass the first law, but so far, the White House is resisting a second one.
