Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told Congress Thursday that legislators should enact a fiscal stimulus package in order to help beleaguered consumers as recession fears grow.

A rush by President Bush and Democratic leaders to assemble an economic stimulus package to stave off a recession is being complicated by a potentially debilitating brew of presidential politics, ideological differences and special interest lobbying.

The Fed chairman does acknowledge that aid to lower- and middle-income taxpayers would be the most effective targets for government aid.

announced Dec. 22:
Investment in clean energy.
- Increase safety net for the unemployed: Require Congress to set aside resources to help states cover additional workers in the event of increased unemployment.
- Increase aid to states: Additional federal contribution to Medicaid and other state aid so that a constitutional requirement to balance state budgets does not result in tax increases.
- Action on housing: Create a "Home Rescue Fund" to help families avoid foreclosure, giving people the chance to rewrite the terms of their primary mortgages in bankruptcy; pass a national law against predatory lending.

announced Jan. 11:
- $30 billion emergency housing crisis fund: Provide resources to states, cities and community organizations to prevent unnecessary foreclosures.
- Action to end the housing crisis: A 90-day moratorium on subprime foreclosures and an automatic rate freeze on subprime mortgages for at least five years or until mortgages are converted into loans families can afford.
- $25 billion in emergency assistance for heating bills: Home heating assistance grants for 37 million eligible families.
- $10 billion in extended unemployment insurance.
- Acceleration of $5 billion in energy efficiency and alternative energy investments: Tax credits to encourage purchases of hybrid and low-emissions vehicles; job training program on energy-efficient work.

announced Jan. 13:
- Immediate $250 tax cut for workers and their families.
- Temporary $250 bonus to low- and middle-income seniors in their Social Security checks: If there is a three-month cumulative decline in employment, an additional temporary supplement of $250 per beneficiary would be provided.
- $10 billion fund to help avoid foreclosure: Increase emergency pre-foreclosure counseling and finance work through the Federal Housing Administration, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to help families facing foreclosure refinance their mortgages or sell their homes.
- $10 billion to state and local governments hardest hit by the housing crisis.
- Extension of unemployment insurance.

Today, Rep. Eric Cantor (VA), the chief deputy Republican whip in the House, unveiled his proposal to stimulate the economy. His legislation — the so-called Middle Class Job Protection Act — does nothing for the middle class. Instead, it reduces the corporate tax rate by 28 percent.