<P> The Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 (Pub. L. 110--185, 122 Stat. 613, enacted February 13, 2008) was an Act of Congress providing for several kinds of economic stimuli intended to boost the United States economy in 2008 and to avert a recession, or ameliorate economic conditions . The stimulus package was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on January 29, 2008, and in a slightly different version by the U.S. Senate on February 7, 2008 . The Senate version was then approved in the House the same day . It was signed into law on February 13, 2008 by President Bush with the support of both Democratic and Republican lawmakers . The law provides for tax rebates to low - and middle - income U.S. taxpayers, tax incentives to stimulate business investment, and an increase in the limits imposed on mortgages eligible for purchase by government - sponsored enterprises (e.g., Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). The total cost of this bill was projected at $152 billion for 2008 . </P> <P> Tax rebates created by the law were paid to individual U.S. taxpayers during 2008 . Most taxpayers below the income limit received a rebate of at least $300 per person ($600 for married couples filing jointly). Eligible taxpayers received, along with their individual payment, $300 per dependent child under the age of 17 . The payment was equal to the payer's net income tax liability, but could not exceed $600 (for a single person) or $1200 (married couple filing jointly). Net liability can be found in these locations: </P>

The stimulus package proposed by the bush administration in early 2008 relied upon