Obama hails congressional deal on economic stimulus

WASHINGTON, Feb 11 (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama hailed a deal reached in Congress on Wednesday for a $789 billion economic stimulus package, saying it will help save or create millions of jobs and "get our economy back on track."

"I want to thank the Democrats and Republicans in Congress who came together around a hard-fought compromise," Obama said in a statement after congressional negotiators hammered out an agreement, handing him a victory in his effort to lift the economy out of crisis.

"It's also a plan that will provide immediate tax relief to families and businesses, while investing in priorities like health care, education, energy and infrastructure that will grow our economy once more," he added, thanking lawmakers for moving the legislation along "with the urgency that this moment demands."