WASHINGTON - Seeking to make good on his pledge to work across the aisle, President Obama is today holding separate meetings with House and Senate Republicans to discuss their concerns and suggestions about the $825 billion economic stimulus bill working its way through Congress.

Obama is attending a special meeting of the House Republican Caucus and the regular weekly luncheon meeting of Senate Republicans. While presidents sometimes meet with caucuses of their own party, meeting with the other party is a much rarer occurrence.

Although Democrats have majorities in both chambers, Obama has said he wants the measure to pass with support from both parties. Republicans have expressed concern that there is too much spending and not enough tax cuts.

The House is scheduled to begin consideration of the measure today and vote tomorrow. The measure is expected to pass in that chamber, in part because the rules are such that members of the minority party have limited opportunities to stop the bill.

The Senate is a different matter. That chamber's rules have long given the minority party considerable latitude to slow down the legislative process.

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