By Rachel Lippmann, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – Missouri Republican Kit Bond is calling the pending passage of the Senate stimulus package "a sad day" for the country.
The Senator spoke briefly to the media Monday before flying back to Washington, DC to start voting on the proposal.
Bond says he supports the provisions in the $827 billion stimulus plan that reduce the alternative minimum tax and provide federal dollars for "shovel-ready" construction projects.
"Unfortunately, this bill stimulates the debt, it stimulates the growth of government, but it doesn't stimulate jobs," Bond said. "I think that you could cut it at least in half and focus it, and not put such a burden on the economy, and get what you would hope to get out of a stimulus bill that you will not get out of this spending bill."
Bond says he has spoken with some Democrats who may not vote for the final proposal negotiated by the House and Senate unless the cost is reduced.