Highlights of economic stimulus plan under US Senate review

WASHINGTON: A new version of US President Barack Obama's economic stimulus plan intends to inject 888 billion dollars into the recession-crippled US economy, with most of the money devoted to infrastructure spending.

Herewith highlights of the package, which the Senate debated on Monday after a previous version of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 was approved by the House or Representatives last week:

-- 87 billion dollars to help states provide healthcare insurance for poorer Americans;

-- 47 billion to extend unemployment benefits;

-- 43 billion to develop green energy programs including wind, biomass and hydropower;

-- 40 billion to states meeting education performance measures and public safety needs;

-- 39 billion for local school districts;

-- 35.5 billion to construct, repair and modernize public schools and other educational facilities at state and local levels;

-- 27 billion to improve highways and bridges;

-- 27 billion in tax cuts for college tuition and Pell Grants for students;

-- 26 billion to subsidize health insurance under federal program for unemployed;

-- 26 billion for disadvantaged and special needs students;

-- 23.9 billion for electronic medical records;

-- 21 billion in business tax relief to meet payroll and expenses;

-- 18.3 billion for public, air and rail transportation;

-- 16.5 billion to fund foodstamps;

-- 15.2 billion for environmental cleanups, water improvements and waste disposal;

-- 13.0 billion to increase energy efficiency in schools and buildings;

-- 11.3 billion for disease research, prevention and treatment;

-- 9 billion to expand broadband Internet to rural areas;

-- 8.8 billion for energy efficiency research;

-- 7.25 billion to construct and rehabilitate low-income and public housing;

-- 5.6 billion to improve and sustain Department of Defense facilities;

-- 5.1 billion to boost homeland security;

-- 4.6 billion to fund the US Army Corps of Engineers;

-- 4.6 billion for fossil fuel research;

-- 4.5 billion to improve the electric grid;

-- 4.1 billion to cover expanded child care and child development programs;

-- 4.0 billion to hire and retain police officers and support law enforcement;

-- 3.7 billion to boost medical care and care facilities for US veterans;

-- 3.4 billion for job training;

-- 3.4 billion to repair and improve public parks and forests

-- 3.0 billion for programs to help lowest-income families;

-- 2.25 billion to redevelop foreclosed homes;

-- 2.1 billion for low-income rental assistance;

-- 1.5 billion to expand homeless prevention activities;

-- 247 billion dollars in tax cuts for working families.