Obama sees 'tough several months' ahead for economy

President Barack Obama said he foresees several "tough" months ahead for the struggling US economy and urged bipartisan support for a massive stimulus plan that comes before the Senate this week.

"I think we're going to be in for a tough several months. We've got to get this economic recovery plan passed. We've got to start putting people back to work," Obama said in an interview with NBC television.

"I have confidence we're going to be able to get the economy back on track, but it's going to take a number of months before we stop falling and then a little bit longer for us to get back on track," he said.

 

The Senate is set to take up the 819-billion-dollar stimulus package today, with Republicans warning that it faces opposition unless they see changes to its focus on spending for infrastructure and social safety nets.

Obama said he has reached out to Republican foes in an effort to garner more support for the package.

"Look, the important thing is getting the thing passed. I've done extraordinary outreach, I think, to Republicans because they have some good ideas, and I want to make sure that those ideas are incorporated," Obama said.

"I am confident that by the time we actually have the final package on the floor, that we are going to see substantial support," he added.

"The thing I'm thinking about every single day is the thousands of people who are being laid off of their jobs right now. They can't afford politics as usual, and old habits are hard to break. But now's the time to break them because we've got an urgent situation."