Stimulus needs careful debate, leaders say

WASHINGTON, Jan. 5 (UPI) -- Congressional Democrats advised against hoping an economic stimulus package will be awaiting Barack Obama's signature when he is sworn in as U.S. president.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada spoke against setting "some false deadline" for delivering legislation to Obama on his first day as president, favoring a more deliberate approach so Congress can get it right "the first time," The Washington Post reported Monday.

Separately, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Maryland said congressional deliberations could take six more weeks.

Among other things, Obama aides advocate directing about $300 billion of the stimulus package -- roughly 40 percent -- toward tax breaks for workers and businesses.

Hoyer predicted the House could pass the bill by the end of January, with Senate action to follow. If all goes smoothly, he said, the package could be on Obama's Oval Office desk before the Presidents' Day recess in mid-February.

"We have two criteria: Do it as quickly as possible, but do it right," Hoyer said on "Fox News Sunday."

Reid said on NBC's "Meet the Press, he wasn't going to "have some false deadline, whether it's February 1 or whatever it is. I want to make sure that all senators have some input in what goes on here and do it as quickly as we can."

While Republicans don't favor portions of the bill, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said if hearings were fair and provided both parties the chance for input, Obama likely will get "significant support."