Obama to meet with congressional leaders on economy

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President-elect Barack Obama plans to meet on Monday with Democratic and Republican congressional leaders to discuss their legislative agendas including how to jump-start the struggling U.S. economy, a congressional aide said on Thursday.

Obama will meet with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and then they will hold a second meeting with Republican leaders Rep. John Boehner and Sen. Mitch McConnell, the aide said on the condition of anonymity.

The discussions will be the first opportunity for the bipartisan leadership to meet with the president-elect and they will cover other issues besides the economy, the aide said. Obama transition officials declined to comment.

Obama officials have been discussing an economic stimulus bill in the range of $675 billion to $775 billion, though Republicans have expressed concerns that Democrats who control the House of Representatives and Senate could expand it to as much as $1 trillion.

Democrats in Congress are hoping to put a stimulus bill on Obama's desk by January 20 when he takes office, or shortly thereafter.

However, that could be difficult. Boehner and McConnell earlier this week issued statements outlining their concerns, demanding extensive hearings and seeking tough scrutiny for what will be included in the spending plan.

(Additional reporting by Ross Colvin in Honolulu)