(CNSNews.com) - House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) told CNSNews.com on Wednesday that Democrats will not rush the economic stimulus bill through Congress, but intend to have it passed by the middle of next month.
Republican lawmakers, however, told CNSNews.com that they remain dubious of Hoyer’s claim and say they are concerned the Democratic leadership will in fact try to ram through the bill--which could cost as much as $1 trillion--without appropriate deliberation.
“Tangible steps have already been taken to ensure it is not rushed through the House,” Hoyer told CNSNews.com.
“There was discussion that we would try to pass this bill prior to inauguration and have it ready for the president to sign when he got into office on the 21st,” said Hoyer. “But two weeks ago I made the observation that I did not think that would be practical and that there wouldn’t be time to give notice to the American public.”
Hoyer said that Democrats now hope to have the bill ready for President-Elect Obama to sign in mid-February.
“We have added approximately a month to the time that it is being considered largely to make sure people are given greater notice,” said Hoyer.
Hoyer also told CNSNews.com that the stimulus legislation will be scheduled for two open “markup hearings” that will occur next week where lawmakers can examine the bill and amend it.
Despite Hoyer’s remarks, Sen. Jim Inhofe (R.-Okla.) was not persuaded that the Democrats would allow adequate review and debate on the bill.
“Oh, I think it’s going to be rushed through, though I am glad to hear Steny Hoyer made that statement,” Sen. Jim Inhofe(R-Okla.) told CNSNews.com. “In the years I spent in the House, Steny normally was not one of those politicians who would say something and then not do it. So, I am hoping that’s the case though I am hesitant to believe it.”
“I just don’t have the faith in the House and the Senate that they will do what Steny is suggesting,” Inhofe added.
Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) says he would like to see additional substantive hearings held on the stimulus proposal.
“It would be nice to have at least a day or two of hearings and frankly, now, would be a really great time to do that,” Wicker told CNSNews.com. “Its not like we are that busy right now. Bring in some cameras and let the American people hear some details. Give us some idea of where the new administration intends to go. It’s something that can be done without delaying the admitted need for quick action.”
Sen. David Vitter(R-Miss.) also urged Democrats to produce the legislation that has not yet been unveiled.
“We need to know what’s being proposed sooner rather than later,” Vitter told CNSNews.com on Monday. “This is a big deal.”