Obama budget, jobs plan get early tests on Hill

President Barack Obama's proposed budget, stuffed with initiatives to spark jobs and the economy, is getting an early test with lawmakers weary of record deficits, wary of his tax ideas and nervous about winning re-election in November.

Obama's proposed 5,000-per-job tax credit for companies that hire more workers could come up for a vote in the Senate as early as the end of the week - if senators can work out the details.

Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner and Obama's budget director, Peter Orszag, were to push it during appearances Tuesday before congressional committees to explain the president's 3.8 trillion budget plan. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen also were to be on Capitol Hill to discuss war spending.