Republican and Democratic Politics

At his meeting with bipartisan leaders of Congress, Obama said he would make his stimulus proposal available on the Internet, with a Google-like search function to show each proposed project or program, by congressional district, according to three people who attended. 

After meeting with Obama, House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, said he was concerned about the plan’s cost. 

“This is not a package that’s ever going to be paid for by the current generation,” Boehner said. “It’s being paid for by our kids and grandkids.” 

Republican lawmakers want more details, Boehner said, but he replied “yes” when asked if he expected a stimulus plan to be enacted within six weeks.

Obama is also scheduled to give a major economic policy address on Thursday. Ahead of that as many as 20 groups that supported Obama during the election are planning to hold rallies calling for quick action on his stimulus proposal. 

Obama earlier on Monday called the country’s current economic situation “extraordinary.” He warned of what he called a “sobering jobs reports at the end of the week.” He said he went to Capitol Hill ahead of his inauguration because “the people’s business cannot wait.”

Aides to the president-elect say the massive spending plan proposed will have a price of around $675 billion to $775 billion.