WASHINGTON (AP) -- The House's second-ranking Democrat says hard bargaining will be necessary if Congress is to agree on a compromise multibillion-dollar economic stimulus plan.

Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland acknowledged in an interview that steep differences exist between the House and Senate on the $800 billion-plus measure, particularly in the area of tax cuts and aid to states and local governments.

Hoyer said on the Fox News Channel: "We're going to have to resolve those differences. Simply talking about what we need to do is not going to be very effective if we don't do it."

The much-discussed legislation now is in the hands of House and Senate negotiators.