WASHINGTON, Jan. 11 (UPI) -- Obama transition team officials Sunday offered concessions on a proposed economic stimulus package, U.S. senators said after a meeting in Washington.
Some 35 Senate Democrats met for two hours with Lawrence Summers and Jason Furman, top economic advisers to President-elect Barack Obama, Politico reported. The session was intended to build support for Obama's proposed stimulus package, as well as his plans for using the second half of the $700 billion financial rescue package approved by Congress last fall, the report said.
Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, said after the meeting Obama's advisers agreed to make changes in the stimulus proposal, which drew criticism last week from some senators. Conrad had suggested tax cuts, said to be part of the Obama plan, might not be effective in stimulating jobs growth.
"It's very clear they've listened, they've heard and that they're moving to respond," Conrad said. "It was very, very healthy. They're not defensive, not arguing back, they're listening, they're attempting to hear and they're responding."
Democrats who attended the gathering said the president-elect's advisers indicated the new administration will present a detailed proposal for how it intends to spend the remainder of the $700 billion rescue package.
"They're moving in our direction," Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., said, noting that the Obama team indicated the stimulus plan would double the amount of spending directed toward energy tax credits.
