国际英语新闻：US Senate passes economic stimulus package

WASHINGTON - The US Senate passed an economic stimulus package on Thursday to fend off a possible recession and House leaders said they would act soon to send the measures to President George W. Bush.

According to the stimulus package, individuals who pay income taxes would get up to 600 US dollars, working couples 1,200 dollars and those with children an additional 300 dollars per child.

Workers who make at least 3,000 dollars but don't pay taxes would get 300 dollar rebates. The rebates were expected to cost about 100 billion dollars, and the package also includes close to 50 billion dollars in business tax cuts.

The package, which has been rejected by majority Democrats in the Senate at first, was approved at last after the Republicans agreed to add rebates for 20 million seniors and 250,000 disabled veterans.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who has been urging the Senate to steer back to the stimulus bill, said the House would approve the bill as soon as possible and send it to President Bush.