Obama Signs Economic Recovery Plan (2/18/09)

In a move to fight the growing recession, President Obama signed the nearly 1,100-page, $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act  on Tuesday.

"Now, I don't want to pretend that today marks the end of our economic problems," Obama said. ". . . But today does mark the beginning of the end, the beginning of what we need to do to create jobs for Americans scrambling in the wake of layoffs."

Obama said the stimulus law would fund record investments in education, new energy research, and new infrastructure - spending that he said would lay the foundation for the nation's economic future.

The package includes a $400 tax break for most individual workers and $800 for married couples, including those who do not earn enough to pay income taxes.

At the same time, the legislation expands safety-net programs and increases unemployment benefits and health-care access for those thrown out of work.