Democrats are waivering on second stimulus

WASHINGTON, July 7 (UPI) -- The U.S. economic stimulus plan needs more time to succeed, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said Tuesday, discounting a second boost for now.

"As far as I'm concerned, there's no showing to me that another stimulus is needed," Reid said at a news conference, noting only a little more than 10 percent of the initial $787 billion in stimulus money has been distributed.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., agreed with Reid, saying he doesn't "think we can yet make a determination as to whether (the first stimulus) has been successful."

Some news media have speculated a second plan would slide through Congress with the seating Tuesday of Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., giving the Democrats 60 seats.

Republicans are starting to criticize Democrats about the lack of immediate results from the infusion of stimulus funds. Republican leaders said the money is being distributed too slowly and unemployment is still climbing.