(AFP) – Jan 23, 2008

WASHINGTON (AFP) — US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson met with top lawmakers Wednesday as part of efforts to hammer out an emergency stimulus package for the flagging US economy, the White House said.

"He is continuing to talk with and negotiate on behalf of the president with members of Congress. He was there again this morning. And so those things will continue," spokeswoman Dana Perino told reporters.

Asked about proliferating news reports about the contours of what is expected to be a 145-150 billion dollar plan, Perino declined to discuss details but said: "We're not closing any doors."

It was unclear whether the White House would back not just tax "rebate" checks but other forms of aid to Americans who pay little or no income taxes -- such as expanded unemployment benefits -- or public works projects.

"There's going to be a lot of ideas that are floated and generated. What Secretary Paulson is up there to do is to represent the president with his principles, that anything in the economic growth package must actually stimulate the economy," said Perino.

"So it has to be timely, targeted, and temporary," she said. "All of those details about what's going to be in a package and how will it be disbursed are yet to be determined and worked out by Secretary Paulson."

Leading US lawmakers have said they hope to reach agreement on a package before going on a scheduled week-long break in mid-February.

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