Barack Obama to meet with congressional leaders today

President-elect Barack Obama plans to meet today with Democratic and Republican congressional leaders to discuss their legislative agendas, including how to jump-start the struggling US economy, a Democratic congressional aide said.

Mr Obama plans to meet first with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and they will later be joined by Republican leaders Rep. John Boehner and Senator Mitch McConnell, the aide said, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

A Republican congressional aide said there had been talk about a meeting with Mr Obama but nothing had been set yet.

The discussions would be the first opportunity for the bipartisan leadership to meet with the president-elect and they will cover other issues besides the economy, the congressional aide said. Mr Obama transition officials declined to comment.

Mr Obama officials have been discussing an economic stimulus bill in the range of €486 billion to €558 billion, although Republicans have expressed concerns that Democrats who control the House of Representatives and Senate could expand it to as much as €721 billion.

Democrats in Congress are hoping to put a stimulus bill on Obama's desk by January 20 when he takes office, or shortly thereafter.

However, that could be difficult. Mr Boehner and Mr McConnell issued statements outlining their concerns, demanding extensive hearings and seeking tough scrutiny for what will be included in the spending plan.