Perino says no stimulus plan in works

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 (UPI) -- Let the first U.S. economic stimulus package work before considering whether to seek a second one, a White House spokeswoman said Friday.

Plus, President George W. Bush isn't inclined to push for a second package now, press secretary Dana Perino said during a news briefing.

"We believe that we should try to let the first stimulus package have a chance to work first before we move forward on trying to get a second one," Perino said. "I think that a lot of the aspects of a second stimulus bill that have been floated around aren't necessarily stimulative ... ."

The best way to improve the economy would be for Congress to act on several pieces of legislation, she said.

The housing bill Bush signed this week was "important to help improve and increase stability and confidence in the housing market," Perino said.

"But ... the driving engine of our economy is energy, and they have not acted on that," Perino said. "But as they come back after their recess and realize that this is something that they really ought to do, that could go a long way to try to help improve our economic outlook."