Last Friday, President Bush called for an economic growth package -- a plan to give a quick shot of energy to the slowing American economy. Now, the administration has an agreement with Democratic and Republican leaders in the House of Representatives.

President Bush called the one hundred fifty billion dollar deal reached Thursday the right set of policies and the right size. He urged Congress to pass it as soon as possible, saying the economy urgently needs action. He said the plan would lead to higher consumer spending and increased business investment this year. The measures must be approved by the House and the Senate and signed into law by the president. There are three parts to the plan:

First, it would give money in the form of tax rebates to middle-class Americans in hopes they will spend it. Individuals could receive up to six hundred dollars. Married couples could get up to twice that. Families with children would get extra money. Money would also go to millions who do not earn enough to pay taxes. Secondly, the plan aims to create jobs through tax breaks for business investment.

And thirdly, it seeks to strengthen the housing market. The plan would raise limits on the size of home loans that can be purchased by mortgage financers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. This would lower interest rates on those loans.

参考译文：

上周五，美国总统布什呼吁制定经济增长的一揽子计划---该计划给放缓的美国经济注射一只强心针。当前，美国政府已经和众议院内民主党和共和党的领导人达成了协议。

对于周四达成的1500亿美元的方案，布什称经济刺激计划采取的政策正确,涉及的金额适当。他敦促国会尽快通过有关法案，称美国经济迫切需要采取行动。他说该计划将导致今年消费更高和商业投资增加。这些措施必须由议院和众议院批准并由总统签署。该计划包括3个部分：

首先，该计划将以退税形式向美国中产阶层发放资金，以望用以消费。个人可获至多600美元的退税。已婚夫妇可能会得到2倍的金额。有子女的家庭会得到额外的金额。另外，对于数百万收入不足以缴税的人，也会得到资助。第二，该计划旨在通过减免税务用于商业投资的方式创造工作。

第三，该计划谋求强化住房市场。它将加强对美国房地产金融机构联邦全国房贷协会( Fannie Mae)和联邦住房抵押贷款公司(Freddie Mac)购买房屋贷款额度的限制。这样会降低这些贷款的利率。

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