WASHINGTON – A much-anticipated deal between the White House and once-warring House leaders to speed tax rebate checks to workers starting in May has the Senate in a bind over whether to try to add to the measure.,”Senate under pressure to approve stimulus deal to get tax rebates to workers in May

WASHINGTON – A much-anticipated deal between the White House and once-warring House leaders to speed tax rebate checks to workers starting in May has the Senate in a bind over whether to try to add to the measure.

Few public developments were expected Friday as lawmakers digest Thursday's announcement of a hard-won agreement between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Republican leader John Boehner and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson that would pump about $150 billion into the economy this year and perhaps stave off the first recession since 2001.

The Senate very often wins its battles with the House. But now, with the power of the Bush administration behind them, House leaders are optimistic that their simply drawn measure – providing rebate checks to 117 million families and $50 billion in incentives for businesses to invest in new plants and equipment – would prevent the Senate from making significant changes such as extending unemployment benefits.

Under the agreement announced by the White House, Boehner and Pelosi, individual taxpayers would get up to $600 in rebates, working couples $1,200 and those with children an additional $300 per child. In a key concession to Democrats, 35 million families who make at least $3,000 but don't pay taxes would get $300 rebates.

The rebates would phase out gradually for individuals whose adjusted gross income exceeds $75,000 and for couples with incomes above $150,000. Contributions to IRA and 401(k) retirement accounts and health savings accounts would not count toward the income limit.

Republicans candidates depict Hillary Rodham Clinton as weak on Iraq, certain to raise taxes

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Republican presidential contenders depicted Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton as weak on Iraq and certain to raise taxes Thursday night, setting aside their own campaign debate squabbles long enough to agree that she is unworthy of the White House.

"She is so out of step with the American people," said former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, joined by Sen. John McCain and Rudy Giuliani in criticizing the former first lady.

The chorus of criticism came as Republicans strived to present their credentials as advocates of tax cuts, particularly to head off the threat of recession. They generally agreed that the newly minted, bipartisan economic stimulus package was a good start but did not go far enough.

"I will vote for it," said McCain, the only contender on stage with a Senate seat. He quickly added he wants the tax cuts President Bush won from Congress in 2001 and 2003 to be made permanent.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and Texas Rep. Ron Paul shared the debate stage, five days before the Florida primary that is the latest pivot point in the battle for the Republican presidential nomination.

Iraqi prime minister announces major offensive against al-Qaida in violence-wracked Mosul

BAGHDAD – Iraq's prime minister announced Friday that the government was launching a major offensive against al-Qaida in the northern city of Mosul after two deadly blasts that killed 34 people and a provincial police chief.

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said the government was sending troops to Mosul, Iraq's third-largest city, to fight the insurgents who have taken refuge there following operations in Baghdad and surrounding areas.

"Today, the troops have moved to Mosul … and the fight there will be decisive," al-Maliki said during an address in the Shiite holy city of Karbala.

The pledge came after an apartment believed to be a bomb-making factory exploded in Mosul on Wednesday, killing at least 34 people and wounding 224, most in nearby houses.

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