President Bush and Congressional leaders from both political parties have reached agreement on $150 billion in tax relief in an effort to help stimulate the U.S. economy.
美国总统布什和国会两党的领导人就1千5百亿美元的退税计划达成协议，努力协助刺激美国经济。
The agreement includes provision to give up to $600 in tax rebates to millions of wage earners and an additional $300 refund for each child. It allows businesses to immediately write off 50 percent of capital equipment purchases.
这项协议包括向数以百万计的工薪阶层人士每人退税最多可达600美元的条款，并特别为每个儿童退税300美元。这项协议允许企业把新购买的大宗设备立即折旧50%。
President Bush says it is an effective, robust and temporary set of incentives that will boost the economy and create new jobs.
布什总统说，这是一套有效的临时性激励措施，将能振兴经济，创造新的就业机会。
"This package has the right set of policies and is the right size," he said. "The incentives in this package will lead to higher consumer spending and increased business investment this year."
布什说：“这套计划采用了正确的政策，计划规模也很合适。这套计划的激励措施将导致今年出现更高的消费者支出，企业的投资也会增加。”
The president says he knows Americans are concerned about their economic future, with the challenges of higher energy prices and a falling housing market slowing growth.
布什总统说，他知道由于能源价格上涨和房地产市场下滑使经济增长放缓，美国人对美国的经济未来感到担忧。
Mr. Bush is urging the House and Senate to pass the agreement as soon as possible.
他敦促参众两院尽快通过这项协议。
"We have an opportunity to come together and take the swift, decisive action our economy urgently needs," he added.
布什说：“我们有机会一同采取我们的经济迫切需要的迅速、果断的行动。”
Stock markets around the world dipped sharply early this week amid widespread fears of a U.S. recession and its potential to drag down foreign markets as well.
由于人们普遍担心美国经济会出现衰退，并可能拖累外国市场，世界各地的股市本星期急剧下跌。
The stimulus deal was an unusual display of bipartisanship in Washington, with Democrats and Republicans in the House making concessions to get the deal done quickly.
这个刺激经济的协议不寻常地显示出华盛顿两党的精诚合作，众议院中的民主党人和共和党人都做出了让步，以便能迅速达成协议。
Republicans dropped a provision that would have allowed businesses to reclaim taxes previously paid. Democrats dropped their demands for increases in food stamps and unemployment benefits.
共和党放弃了一项条款，该条款允许企业索回过去上缴的部分税款。民主党则放弃了增加对失业者的食品供给和失业救济的要求。
House Speaker Democrat Nancy Pelosi says she is not totally pleased with the package, but knows it will help stimulate the economy.
国会众议院议长、民主党人佩洛西说，她并不完全满意这项计划，但是她清楚这项计划会有助于刺激美国经济。
"This bipartisan package should be acted upon rapidly and can help alleviate the economic pain felt by millions of Americans," she said.
佩洛西说：“应当立即实施这项由两党合作共同制定的计划。该计划能够帮助减轻数以百万计的美国人的经济痛苦。”
John Boehner is the leader of Republicans in the House of Representatives. He says it was not easy for Republicans and Democrats to agree on a plan, but he is confident it is in the best interests of the nation.
众议院的共和党领袖约翰.博纳说，共和党和民主党在这项计划上达成一致并不容易，但是他相信，这项计划符合美国的最佳利益。
"This agreement is a big win for the American people," he said. "It will stimulate our economy in the most direct and effective way possible by putting money in the hands of middle income American families and by giving businesses incentives to create and build new jobs in our country."
博纳说：“这项协议是美国人民的巨大胜利。通过给美国中等收入家庭金钱和鼓励企业创造国内就业机会，这项协议将以最直接和最有效的方式刺激我们的经济。”
Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson was the president's lead negotiator with Congress.
美国财政部长保尔森是布什总统与国会谈判的首席代表。
"I know the work isn't done yet," he noted. "As the Speaker said, we've got more to do. And I am looking forward to working with the Senate and working with the House to get a package as soon as possible, because, again, speed is of the essence."
他说：“我明白，这项工作还没有完成。正如佩洛西所说的，我们还有许多事情要做。我期待与参、众两院合作，尽快地把这套计划制定出来，因为速度是关键。”
Senate Majority Leader Democrat Harry Reid says he wants to get the plan to the president for signature by February 15. But changes in the Senate may slow passage of the package, as Reid says senators may consider restoring provisions to extend unemployment benefits.
参议院多数党领袖、民主党人里德说，他希望布什总统在2月15号之前签署这项计划。不过，参议院中的变动可能会延缓该计划的通过。里德说，议员们可能会考虑恢复一些延长领取失业救济的规定。 |