The US House of Representatives was expected to approve the package, a centerpiece of Mr Obama's efforts to resurrect lost US jobs and kickstart stalled US growth, in the late afternoon or early evening largely along party lines.

Key US Senate committees have begun shaping their chamber's version of the bill, as Democrats and the White House say they hope to speed the final measure through the US Congress and to the White House by mid-February.

The House vote was to come one day after the Democratic president made his first work visit to the capitol, wooing defiant Republicans with closed-door assurances that he hears their complaints and shares some of their worries.

'Nobody is more worried about the deficit and the debt than me. I will be judged by the legacy I have left behind,' Obama told House Republicans, according to one congressional attendee.

The appeal came hours after Republican leaders, looking for more tax cuts and less spending, directed their troops to oppose the Democratic bill, which provides about US$550 billion in spending and US$275 billion in tax cuts.

Publicly, Mr Obama said he recognised 'legitimate' Republican gripes with his approach but argued waves of jobs losses and punishing economic news dictated urgent action and not political gamesmanship.

'I don't expect one hundred per cent agreement from my Republican colleagues,' Mr Obama said as fevered political maneuvering on Capitol Hill contrasted with the euphoria of his inauguration there a week before.

'But I do hope that we can all put politics aside and do the American people's business,' the president said in a time-honored appeal for Washington to overcome its bitter partisan divisions.

Mr Obama may need Republican support for political cover if the stimulus plan, now widely popular with the US public, fails to achieve its sought-for effects.

Asked whether at least a few Republicans would sign on, Democratic House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer replied: 'I hope. 'Expect' would be too strong a word.' 'We will take what we can get,' said Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs said.

Republican leaders, who are using the stimulus to test the new president's leverage and rebuild their shattered morale, thanked Mr Obama for reaching out, but there was little sign of agreement.

House Minority Leader John Boehner said Mr Obama offered to find 'common ground where we could,' and was 'sincere' but said there were clearly differences on the legislation.

Representative Mike Pence, the number three House Republican, said the talks were 'cordial, substantive, and vigorous' but slammed the bill.

'The only thing it will stimulate is more government and more debt. And the president heard that message today,' said Mr Pence.

Mr Obama did get Democrats to remove millions of dollars in funding for contraceptives for state medical programs from the bill, which Republicans had cited as bloated spending, Mr Gibbs said.

And the president privately assured Republicans that his first budget will include 'a realistic approach to eliminate debt, and bring down spending,' said one participant in the closed-door talks.

At the same time, Mr Obama warned sluggish action could cause 'irreparable' economic harm, the attendee told AFP.

The president wants thumping congressional majorities for the stimulus, the first big test of his presidency, to give him momentum for other priorities and to make good on his vow to be a bipartisan leader.

Republicans lack the votes to defeat the stimulus bill on their own, but could slow its progress, especially in the Senate. -- AFP