Congress has approved a two-year, $168 billion economic stimulus plan Thursday that will send rebate checks to millions of Americans.

The bipartisan measure, coming after a concession by Senate Democrats who demanded more aid, could become law as soon as next week, with rebate checks arriving as soon as May.

The stimulus legislation cleared the Senate, 81-16, after Dems gave up their attempt to pressure the GOP into backing a more expansive package.

The House then approved it, 380-34.

“This plan is robust, broad-based, timely, and it will be effective,” President George W. Bush said in a statement.

“What counts is the result,” said Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Montana), who helped lead the Democratic drive for a larger package. “This is a big victory.”

Compromise and actually getting a bill signed is nice. Maybe it will help Congress’ abysmal (lower than Bush’s!) approval rating.

Now, whether this victory actually stimulates anything? That’s entirely up in the air - and a topic for another time.

In somewhat-related news regarding the economy not being what it used to be, some shops in New York City have begun accepting euros.

The increasingly weak U.S. dollar, once considered king of currencies, has brought waves of European tourists to New York with money to burn and looking to take advantage of hugely favorable exchange rates.

It’s a trend that doesn’t look to be abating anytime soon as other nations grow rapidly and recession fears rankle U.S. financial markets.