WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrats and Republicans in the U.S. Senate have reached a tentative deal on an election-year economic stimulus plan that would send government rebate checks to millions of Americans, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus said on Thursday.
Asked whether the Senate deal was now in place, the Montana Democrat said, "essentially."
The House-passed bill provided for one-time checks of up to $600 for individuals and $1,200 for couples, plus $300 per child. It was unclear whether the Senate compromise would strictly adhere to those levels.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters her chamber would act quickly once the Senate approves its version of a stimulus bill and send the compromise to President George W. Bush for his expected signature.
"The sooner we get this done, the sooner the checks will be in the mail," Pelosi said.
(Reporting by Donna Smith and Richard Cowan; Editing by James Dalgleish)
