The Congressional Progressive Caucus is using its alternative budget to build support for a second stimulus package that includes many of the items that were cut following negotiations with Republicans from the stimulus package signed into law last month.

The Progressive Caucus will lay out a budget with more spending on public works, food stamps, unemployment insurance and Medicaid assistance to states. Budget season starts Wednesday with markups in the House and Senate budget committees.

Talk about a second stimulus had died down in recent weeks, but liberals say it’s time to start pressing again because the economy needs more of a boost. They argue that increased spending on their priorities will not only help people in need, but put in money in consumers’ pockets and stimulate additional economic growth.

“Increasing food stamp benefits would not only help people who are struggling,” said Rep. James McGovern (D-Mass.). “You buy things with food stamps.”

Overall, the Progressive Caucus budget calls for $40 billion to $60 billion in spending above inflation and population growth. Despite the increase, it is balanced, though like President Bush’s budget, it does not include the cost of the war in Iraq.

“We want to make the point that you can have a major realignment of priorities and still balance the budget,” McGovern said.

The increased spending in the Progressive Caucus budget would be offset by reductions in defense spending. The caucus recommended savings found by Government Accountability Office audits.

Alternative budgets are used by the various caucuses to set their priorities for the coming year. Last year, the Progressive Caucus budget got 81 votes — eight more than the size of its caucus.

The Democratic budget passed 216-210, with one Progressive Caucus member and 11 members of the centrist Blue Dog Coalition voting no.

Congress passed and Bush signed a $152 billion stimulus package in February that offered $600 rebate checks for individuals and $1,200 checks for couples provided their incomes were below a cut-off threshold. Rebates were increased by $300 for every dependent child. The package also includes a tax break for business.

Even as the package was speeding through Congress, some were talking about a second stimulus package. Last week, governors in town for the National Governors Association meeting pressed Bush for a second stimulus package but reported that he showed little or no interest.