But another proposal has emerged that could provide a way forward; a narrower amendment that proposes to expand the rebate eligibility requirements to allow those senior citizens and veterans to receive checks without the other issues included in the Finance Committee bill. The amendment, sponsored by Stevens, also would clarify restrictions that would make certain that illegal immigrants could not collect rebate checks. 

The failure to move the broader Finance Committee legislation represented a setback for Senate Democrats in the first high-profile vote of the year, with the economy emerging as the top issue on voters’ minds.

“It’s up to Republicans — if they want to stimulate the economy, then vote for the Senate Finance package,” Reid said.

“And I am not willing to throw seniors under the table. I’m not willing to throw — ‘under the bus’ is the wrong word. I’m not willing to throw the unemployed and others under the table.”

The stimulus package started off last month as an unusual bipartisan effort that culminated in a deal brokered by the Bush administration, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio). But Senate Democrats were cool to the proposal and sought to expand the bill designed to provide more measures to jump-start the sluggish economy. Republicans said they were dressing up the bill like a Christmas tree, rather than pushing for targeted measures needed to immediately stimulate the economy.

“Unfortunately, Senate Democrats didn’t follow suit; they turned the idea into a political game, with the head of their campaign committee calling for ‘tough votes,’ ” said McConnell on the floor Wednesday. “The American people are tired of political ‘gotcha.’ ”

The dispute brought the Senate to a near standstill and slowed progress on an electronic surveillance bill. That led to sharp exchanges all week, with each side blaming the other on delaying rebate checks to Americans.

The rhetoric intensified Wednesday when Reid attacked Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson for saying this week that “special interests are coming to the trough” for the Senate stimulus package. Republicans have complained about language in the bill aimed at helping coalmines, a provision supported by coal-state lawmakers from both parties.

Reid shot back at Paulson, who was a consensus choice for his Cabinet position, saying he was “offended” by the comments.

“Let him explain that to someone that doesn’t have a job, that’s been out of work for three or four months,” Reid said angrily at a Wednesday news conference. “Let him say that the person is coming to the trough.”