Stimulus package unlikely, Dems say

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12 (UPI) -- Democratic congressional leaders threw water on the possibility of passing a second stimulus plan for the U.S. economy during the lame-duck session.

House Financial Services Chairman Barney Frank, D-Mass., and Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., in separate comments to reporters cast doubt on Congress and the White House agreeing to a stimulus package, The Hill reported.

Without a deal in place, a package the Democrats could move through Congress could be vetoed by President George Bush.

"I wouldn't be disappointed because it wouldn't be a surprise," Frank said after a committee hearing.

In a conference call with reporters, Schumer said, "It is the ideological opposition of the Bush administration that is preventing this. I put the odds at smaller than I'd like."

The Bush administration has been cool to a second stimulus package. President-elect Barack Obama has said he'd like to see what he called a "rescue plan for the middle class" passed either during the lame-duck session or early after he takes office in January.