Republicans in the U.S. Congress could stand in the way of Democratic President-elect Barack Obama's hopes of signing a massive economic stimulus plan into law right after he takes office on Jan. 20, Reuters reported today. The plan, aimed at easing the financial crisis, tops the agenda of the newly elected Congress due to be sworn in on Tuesday -- two weeks before Obama. Hearings in the new Congress could push a final package well into February. Democrats who control Congress predict the plan -- including tax relief for the middle class and spending on schools, roads and other infrastructure -- will cost between $675 billion and $775 billion. Republicans voice concern about possible waste and say it could ultimately cost $1 trillion. Obama plans to meet House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, both Democrats, on Monday and be joined later by Republican leaders Rep. John Boehner and Sen. Mitch McConnell, a Democratic congressional aide said. The discussions would be the first opportunity for the bipartisan leadership to meet with the president-elect and would cover other issues besides the economy, the aide said.
