Political sources say U.S. President-elect Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi, the speaker of the House of Representatives, will meet Monday to discuss a stimulus plan for the ailing U.S. economy.
They say the two Democrats will discuss the scope and timing of the economic recovery package, which is intended in part, to create jobs and invest in U.S. businesses.
According to The Washington Post newspaper, Pelosi has said she wants a bill ready for Mr. Obama to sign when he takes office on January 20. The stimulus plan is expected to cost between $675 billion and $775 billion.
The meeting between Mr. Obama and Pelosi will come after Mr. Obama and his family move to Washington in the coming days. Mr. Obama and his family returned to Chicago Friday after a 12-day vacation in Hawaii.
The Obama family will stay at the historic Hay Adams hotel near the White House. They are settling into the hotel in time for Mr. Obama's daughters, Sasha and Malia, to begin classes at the private Sidwell Friends school.
Incoming U.S. presidents who are waiting to be sworn into office often stay at Blair House, the official guest residence of the White House. But the Bush administration says the guest house is booked until January 15, five days before Mr. Obama takes the oath of office.
The president-elect will be in Washington in time for a new Congress to be sworn in on Tuesday, and for a White House luncheon on Wednesday with President George Bush and former U.S. presidents.
Separately, the Presidential Inaugural Committee said Thursday that Mr. Obama will hold a Commander-in-Chief's inaugural ball to honor the country's men and women serving in the armed forces. The committee says tickets will be provided free of charge to invited guests.
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