Talks continue after US Senate passes stimulus bill

The Senate passage of an $838bn (€649bn) stimulus bill triggered an intense round of late-night bargaining, with the White House and key congressional Democrats seeking agreement on a final compromise aimed at battling the worst economic crisis in decades.

Democratic officials said that in deference to Senate Republican moderates, it appeared the bill that eventually goes to President Barack Obama would be in the range of $800bn (€619.5bn) dollars – less than the Senate measure or a different bill that cleared the House several days ago.