U.S. President Barack Obama says he is
optimistic about getting an economic stimulus plan passed, although he realizes
he is not going to have the support of every lawmaker on Capitol Hill.
Mr. Obama has meetings (Tuesday) with opposition Republican Party
leaders in both houses of Congress about his proposed 825-billion-dollar
economic stimulus plan.
House Minority Leader John Boehner says he looks forward to continuing to work
with the president on the package. Boehner voiced Republican concern about some
of the spending in the proposal.
Mr. Obama first met with lawmakers in the House of Representatives then moved
on to the Senate side.
Republicans have increasingly expressed opposition to the huge spending plan,
which calls for about 250 billion dollars in tax cuts and 550 billion dollars
in spending. The spending portion of the bill is directed at public works
projects, including repairing and upgrading roads and bridges.