White House rules out second stimulus

WASHINGTON, Dec. 22 (UPI) -- President George Bush will not present Congress with a second economic stimulus package before he leaves office next month, the White House said Monday.

The Hill reported the president's inaction will lead Democrats to craft a stimulus package President-elect Barack Obama can sign after taking office Jan. 20.

White House spokesman Tony Fratto said he expects Obama and congressional Democrats to take up a second plan.

"I don't think there's any chance of a second stimulus from this administration in the days we have remaining," Fratto said.

The newspaper reported that the second package could total $850 billion, with a healthy share of the money going to infrastructure projects aimed at helping the Obama administration reach its goal of adding 3 million new jobs to the economy.