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Obama Wants Stimulus Ready to Sign Jan. 20

By David M. Drucker
Posted December 18, 2008 at 4:28pm

President-elect Barack Obama would like Congress to pass a five-pronged economic stimulus package in time for him to sign the legislation on Jan. 20, the day he is set to be sworn into office, according to a letter sent Thursday to the Senate Democratic Conference from Majority Leader Harry Reid’s (D-Nev.) office.

Obama wants the stimulus package to focus on government spending and investment in energy, infrastructure, education, health care and “protecting the most vulnerable,” according to a letter sent from Reid Chief of Staff Gary Myrick to the offices of the other Democratic Senators.

“Only those items that spend out quickly, create jobs, and constitute sound national policy should be considered for inclusion in the package,” Myrick wrote. “We have communicated our willingness to work within these parameters as closely as possible and urge all offices to do the same.”

Myrick said that Obama’s stimulus package desires were revealed to Reid’s office in the past 24 hours.

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