Their comments came as President Bush urged Congress today to approve the stimulus plan without any additions, such as extending unemployment benefits, increasing subsidies for home heating and raising food stamp benefits.

U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie, D-Hawai'i, setting the tone today, said he would support the House plan, which includes $100 billion in rebate checks for individuals and families and $50 billion in incentives for businesses to invest in new equipment and plants.

"However, I have not yet given up on including more short-term measures that would help our economy here in Hawai'i," he said.

U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, D-Hawai'i, also said he was pleased the Senate will consider the House plan "as well as any additional viable options."

One option is funding a program to promote travel to the United States, which would end up helping small businesses across the country, said Inouye, who is sponsoring a bill to do that.

U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawai'i, said she also would like the House plan to include increases in food stamps and extension of unemployment benefits.

"The current package was, however, the result of tough negotiations with the White House in a bipartisan effort to pass a stimulus package quickly," she said.

U.S. Sen. Dan Akaka, D-Hawai'i, said he was concerned rebate checks are still months away while the economy needs stimulus now.