There's still no official legislative text yet, but key lawmakers in the Senate and House have said they've reached a compromise on a final economic recovery package.
The economic stimulus plan is unlikely to help boost the auto industry because some say tax incentives for car purchases won't save buyers nearly as much as had been originally proposed.
The House will not vote until Friday on a revamped $789.5 billion stimulus package, after many House Democrats demanded more time to read the measure, expressing unhappiness with some of the spending cuts.
The Obama administration has promised to fix big financial firms with a helping of "tough love." But even stronger medicine -- such as breaking up troubled banks and starting new ones -- may be necessary.
The number of Americans filing for first-time unemployment benefits last week edged off a 26-year high, but was higher than expected, according to a government report released Thursday.