Kerry: Stimulus has bipartisan support

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., says the chances of a massive economic stimulus bill passing Congress are good despite growing opposition.

Kerry, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, told viewers of Sunday's "Meet the Press" show on NBC that he believes there's sufficient bipartisan support for the $800 billion-plus economic kick-start.

"None of this is being done behind closed doors; none of this is a secret," Kerry said. "We have accepted Republican proposals, so there is a bipartisan effort here. I think those priorities happen to dovetail with what we need to do to put America back to work."

Kerry said he was optimistic despite rising indications that opposition to the stimulus is hardening among Senate Republicans, who are denouncing parts of the measure they see as wasteful spending. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, also appearing on "Meet the Press," said much of the stimulus bill won't immediately create jobs.

"About $200 billion of this is just added spending that are -- they're good programs, but they are not programs that are going to create jobs, and I think that should be our focus right now," Hutchinson said.