Stimulus bill passes House vote

The U.S. House of Representatives passed President Barack Obama’s $819 billion stimulus bill, Wednesday, which includes spending increases and tax cuts to help revive the nation’s economy.

The bill passed through the House by a vote of 244-188, with 11 Democrats joining the unanimous Republican opposition.

The package includes $43 billion for transportation projects, including $30 billion for highway and bridge construction and repair and $12 billion for mass transit, including $7.5 billion to buy equipment such as buses or railcars.

The U.S. Senate will begin debating the bill next week.