WASHINGTON (RushPRnews) 01/23/09-President Barack Obama said he expects Congress to approve a massive new package within weeks to help stimulate the battered U.S. economy.Mr. Obama met Friday with top Congressional Democrats and Republicans. He cautioned that the U.S. economy is facing an “unprecedented” crisis – but said he expects his new recovery plan to create three million to four million new jobs.
And he said Congress is “on target” to approve the stimulus package by mid-February – President’s Day weekend.
The president also stressed the need for increased accountability and transparency to ensure that government financial “bailout” money is used appropriately.
Republicans have expressed concern about whether a proposed $825 billion stimulus plan crafted by Democrats will accomplish its goals of creating jobs and helping the economy.
During his first week in office, Mr. Obama went to work quickly to address major issues. On Thursday, he ordered the U.S. military detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to be closed within one year.
He also signed orders to review military trials of terror suspects, and to ban the harshest interrogation methods, and also named special envoys for the Middle East and the Afghanistan-Pakistan region.
