Washington  - Opposition Republicans on Wednesday criticized President Barack Obama's proposals to stimulate the US economy, and legislators in the House of Representatives said they were seeking a meeting with the newly inaugurated Obama.

An 825-billion-dollar economic stimulus package is making its way through Congress. Obama has said he wants input from all sides, in keeping with his campaign promises to reach across partisan lines as president.

John Boehner, leader of the minority Republicans in the House, said his side had sent a letter to Obama asking for a face-to-face meeting Thursday to discuss the party's own proposals for the package.

The bill is likely to be the first major legislative test of Obama's presidency. Having promised to seek out bipartisan support, he faces pressure from both sides.

Republicans argue that the stimulus is too large and too heavy on government spending programmes that could take years to reach the economy. Some Democrats have suggested that 825 billion dollars is not enough to revive the economy, which is contracting sharply and already in recession.

About 550 billion dollars from the package will be directed toward spending on infrastructure, transportation and renewable energy projects. Another 275 billion dollars will be handed out in tax cuts.

Obama has said the plan will save or create 3 million to 4 million new jobs, countering the more than 2.5 million jobs shed in 2008. Republicans are skeptical and called for more emphasis on tax cuts.

"When it comes to slow-moving government spending programmes, it's clear that it doesn't create the jobs or preserve the jobs that need to happen," Boehner said. "It's clear that trying to get money back into the economy quickly, to preserve jobs and to create jobs, has to be the goal. And fast-acting tax relief, we believe, is the best way to do that." (dpa)