WASHINGTON - The two top Democrats in the U.S. Congress plan to meet with President Barack Obama at the White House on Wednesday to explore ways to stimulate the ailing U.S. economy, party aides said.

Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid intend to discuss a number of options with the president, including a possible job-creation tax credit, one aide said.

We are looking for ways to stimulate the economy, the aide added.

With the U.S. jobless rate at 9.8 percent, the highest since 1983, Democrats in Congress are looking at a number of possible ways to try to boost the economy and assist those struggling with it, party sources and lawmakers said.

These options include extending jobless benefits and expanding the food stamp program as well as construction projects to create more jobs.

The talk comes amid criticism that the unprecedented $787 billion economic stimulus package passed by Congress earlier this year has failed to do enough.

Many Democrats argue that more time is needed for the stimulus package to kick in, but others are concerned that more action is needed.

(Reporting by Thomas Ferraro; Editing by Eric Walsh)

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