Senior Republican senators yesterday called for additional tax cuts and other big changes in the $884bn (£610bn) economic stimulus package proposed by the Obama administration.

Mitch McConnell, Republican leader in the Senate, said that with Democrats as well as Republicans in the Senate concerned at the House of Representatives’ version of the bill, changes would have to be made. 'We ought to go right at the housing problem and right at tax relief to put money in the hands of consumers who can spend it now,' he told CBS.

McConnell’s comments – together with those of other senior Senate Republicans – indicate that the stimulus bill is likely to face serious wrangling when debate begins today.

Financial Times