Democrat pushes party's economic stimulus plan

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- As the Senate prepares for a pitched battle over competing economic stimulus plans next week, the Democratic Party said the September 11 attacks warrant a response that both stimulates short-term economic prospects and protects workers displaced by the tragedy.

In a weekly Democratic radio address Saturday, Rep. Shelley Berkley of Nevada said that 15,000 hotel and restaurant workers in Las Vegas alone were laid off virtually overnight after the attacks.

"My families in Las Vegas, and families across the country, risk losing their homes, their jobs, health insurance and even their unemployment benefits," she said. "Families are hurting and we need to help."

House and Senate Democrats have proposed legislation incorporating tax breaks for small businesses and individuals, tax rebates for the 29 million people who failed to qualify earlier this year, and an extension of unemployment benefits as well as health insurance subsidies.

"Either Democratic bill would have a direct and positive impact on families in my community, and I would proudly support either one," she said.

She added that bipartisanship during a national crisis was "vitally important," and that she would consider "any bill -- from Republicans or Democrats" that addressed the needs of her constituents and of the country.

But, she argued, a Republican bill that passed the House by a narrow margin spends $100 billion on tax cuts for corporations, including the wealthiest multinationals.

"Many of these tax cuts are permanent, risking our long-term economic security. As a matter of economic policy, this flies in the face of basic economic principles. And as a matter of accountability, it is simply bewildering."

She added, "Exploiting a national crisis to pass a partisan bill that sacrifices our national interest and long-term economic growth for the sake of special interests is just inexcusable."