McCain, Boehner Oppose Obama Stimulus

Republican leaders said Sunday they are unhappy with the political tactics the Democrats have taken in pushing the $825 billion economic stimulus plan and will vote against the bill if additional tax breaks are not added.

Senator John McCain Sunday, Arizona Republican and one of President Obamas closest links to the Republican Party, said he would vote against the stimulus bill in its current form.

"As it stands now, I would not vote for it," McCain said on "Fox News Sunday." "Republicans have not been brought in to the degree that we should be."

House Minority Leader John Boehner, Ohio Republican, said the plan must include more tax relief before House Republicans will support the plan. Republicans are proposing returning up $3,200 to tax filers, he said.

"I think a lot of Republicans will vote no because it's a lot of wasteful Washington spending, Mr. Boehner said on "Meet the Press" on Sunday.

Of the $825 billion included in Mr. Obama's stimulus plan, $275 billion would be paid out in tax relief, and $550 billion would go to new spending.

Republicans have said the stimulus plan, in combination with the round of economic bailouts approved late last year, would saddle future generations with $2 trillion in debt.
Republicans, in a large minority following the November elections, have split with Democrats in trying to maintain the tax cuts passed by the Bush administration, which Obama has promised to repeal.

Democratic senators have defended the process to fast-track the stimulus plan for Obama's approval by mid-February.

McCain, long considered a maverick in his own party, said he would continue to lead the "loyal opposition" to the Democratic majority.