By TIM PERONE, AP
Posted: 4:23 am
October 12, 2008
Democrats, increasingly confident that Barack Obama will win the presidency, are likely to call Congress back to work after the election to get a jump on passing an economic-stimulus package before the new Congress takes office.
The plan, which could cost $150 billion, will include extended jobless benefits, money for food stamps and possibly a tax rebate, officials said yesterday.
Democrats said Obama's campaign has been involved in the discussions, but it is not clear how many of the candidate's own proposals would be included in his party's plan.
Democrats are optimistic about capturing the White House and increasing their majorities in the House and Senate on Election Day.
If they are successful, a lame-duck session of Congress two weeks after the election would allow them to start work on a response to the credit crunch that has sent stock prices plummeting.
The officials stressed that no final decisions have been made but House Democrats have announced plans for an economic forum tomorrow "to help Congress develop an economic recovery plan that focuses on creating jobs and strengthening our economy."
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