Washington - US President Barack Obama was headed to the US Congress Tuesday for a rare meeting with opposition Republican lawmakers to convince them of the merits of his 825-billion-dollar economic stimulus package.

Obama has sought bipartisan support for the bill, which includes a mix of tax cuts and government spending and is the centrepiece of his efforts to revive the struggling US economy.

Obama will hold separate closed-door meetings with Republicans from the lower House of Representatives and the upper Senate. The House Republican leadership requested the meeting in a letter to the president last week.

Democratic lawmakers hold strong majorities in both legislative chambers and could likely get the stimulus passed on their own, but Obama's push for Republican support follows through on an election campaign promise to govern from the centre.

Republicans have argued the legislation includes too much government spending and too few tax cuts.

"We have concerns that the plan that House Democrats are going to bring to the floor will not help" the economy, said John Boehner, leader of House Republicans, ahead of the meeting with Obama.

About one quarter of the 825-billion-dollar bill is currently devoted to tax cuts. The rest will include spending projects in infrastructure, renewable energy, transport, health and education. (dpa)