Per the AP:
AP Article
WASHINGTON – The Senate voted Wednesday night to give a tax break of up to $15,000 to homebuyers in hopes of revitalizing the housing industry, a victory for Republicans eager to leave their mark on a mammoth economic stimulus bill at the heart of President Barack Obama's recovery plan. The tax break was approved without dissent and came on a day in which Obama pushed back pointedly against Republican critics of the legislation even as he reached across party lines to consider a reduction in the spending it contains.
The article also mentions that Senate Republicans failed to get the rest of their provisions into the bill, and that they have so far failed to make any significant cuts in spending as they had hoped to. The article also notes that the $15,000 provision applies to both new and existing homebuyers.
To me this sounds like something that could provide some real relief to homeowners. I personally know of quite a few families who would really benefit from this particular provision, including my own parents. From reading the text of the amendment, as I understand it this will apply to owners of primary residences. I also read that there was also an amendment in the bill that provides for low-income housing in particular that I'm still browsing around for more information on.
So, yeah, my personal opinion is that the bill will be passed, more or less as President Obama intended, and that this is only the first step towards what's going to be a very long recovery.
The article also notes that this came on the same day that President Obama signaled that he might be willing to be bipartisan, but he's only going to be pushed so far.
Edit: I did misunderstand some of the implication of the bill, in that it will not affect those already in homes, which is too bad. Sorry Mom and Dad. But I personally do see the benefits of encouraging people to buy a new home, even though that's not a popular view here.