Republicans want say in economic stimulus plan

By LAURIE KELLMAN, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON – Congressional Republicans on Monday said they would work with Democrats to craft a plan to stimulate the economy, but only if GOP ideas are considered for a bill that could cost as much as $1 trillion.

“We need the right mix of tax relief and other measures to grow the economy,” Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said in a statement.

The Democrats’ plan to pass a yet-unwritten stimulus bill before President-elect Barack Obama‘s inauguration next month gives Congress too little time to consider what’s in it, he said.

“Taxpayers are in no mood to have a single dollar wasted, but it’s not yet been explained how their tax dollars will be protected…in a rush to spend their money,” McConnell added.

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