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Grades 4-6

Help Is On the Way

Last week, President Barack Obama set in motion two government programs to help the economy. On February 17, in Denver, Colorado, he signed a $787 billion plan into law. It is called the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Obama says the law is "the beginning of what we need to do to create jobs for Americans." He hopes the plan will create or save a total of 3.5 million jobs and help jump-start the weak economy.

How will it work? The money will be spent on new construction projects and developing alternative sources of energy. It also gives tax breaks, better unemployment benefits and help with health-care costs to those who need them.

The program is Obama's first major legislation since he took office on January 20. But the President did not celebrate as he signed the bill. He focused on the challenges ahead. "None of this will be easy," he said. "The road to recovery will not be straight."

Obama also unveiled a $75 billion program to help people who can not afford to stay in their homes. The plan is designed to help as many as 9 million Americans who are having difficulty making their home-loan payments. The government also began figuring out whether or not to give more aid to the struggling auto industry.

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