The US Senate Finance Committee approved a $157 billion economic stimulus package last night that offers smaller tax rebates to more people than a plan passed by the US House of Representatives.
The package would provide a flat $500 tax rebate to individuals and $1,000 for couples, plus $300 per child.
The rebates also would go to about 20 million low-income senior citizens on Social Security who would not be covered by the $146 billion stimulus bill approved by the House on Tuesday.
The Finance Committee voted 14-7 for the plan, and the Senate was expected to take up stimulus legislation quickly.
Committee Chairman Max Baucus said his package was based on the House-passed plan.
The House bill calls for rebates of up to $600 for individuals and $1,200 for married couples, plus $300 per child. The rebates would phase out for individuals with more than $75,000 in taxable income and married couples with more than $150,000.