Barack Obama's first bill, setback

President Barack Obama signed into law his first bill a day after a disappointing House vote on his economic stimulus plan.

The stimulus plan passed but in an inauspicious portent for bipartisanship, Obama failed to attract Republican support.

Republicans may be playing politics here as they know there is a good chance that the economy will still be in recession by election time in 2010. By rejecting the stimulus plan, they can use the economy as a weapon against Democrats in trying to win back Congress.

On a positive note for the Obama administration today, the president signed an equal pay law for women. The Lilly Ledbetter Act focuses on gender equity for pay in the workplace.

The Miami Herald

Barack and Michelle Obama lead celebration of new equal pay law
Christian Science Monitor - 35 minutes ago
By Dave Cook | 01.29.09 Since her highly photographed appearances at various inaugural balls, the first lady has spent much of her time out of public view helping her two daughters adjust to their new surroundings.
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