A Hill friend points out: Now: “We need to be dealing with people at the bottom of the income scale,” said Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash. He also noted that the legislation would provide a $25-per-week increase in unemployment benefits.

Two weeks ago: Democrats emerging from a closed-door meeting of the Senate Finance Committee had little positive to say about the tax cut proposals. [Sen. Kent] Conrad was critical of the proposed break for workers and their families.

“Twenty bucks a week. How much of a lift is that going to give?” he said.

(Now: ‘Obama, lawmakers to meet on stimulus,’ Associated Press, January 23, 2009)

(Two weeks ago: ‘Obama says his economic plan will be refined,’ Associated Press, January 9, 2009)