U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye said this afternoon that another federal stimulus package may be necessary if the nation's economy does not improve.

Inouye, D-Hawaii, privately briefed state House lawmakers on the stimulus package and plans to talk with the state Senate tomorrow.

The stimulus package, signed into law this morning by President Obama, will bring Hawaii $678 million in formula-based spending and upwards of $2 billion when tax

credits, Medicaid reimbursements and extended unemployment benefits are counted.

Inouye, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said another stimulus package may be needed.

"That's discussion item No. 1 now in Washington," the senator told reporters at the state Capitol. "Some people are calling this bill the stimulus No. 1.

"If you listen to experts, they all suggest that if you are to really stem the tide, you have to go deeper than this. And, I must say, to a certain degree I agree with that."

Inouye, under questioning, said he did not have any thoughts about the ceded lands case scheduled for arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court next week.

Inouye said now might be the best opportunity to advance a Native Hawaiian federal recognition bill sponsored by U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii.

Democrats have the majority in both the House and Senate and President Obama

supports the bill.

"If we can't do it now, we're going to have a hell of a time," the senator said. "But we're going to do our best."