Senate Democrats are putting the finishing touches on next week’s legislative agenda, which will be dominated by an economic stimulus plan and consisting of little else.

Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) wants to move a package with four or five components, including $25 billion in loans for the auto industry, aid to states struggling with Medicaid-caused budget deficits, increased infrastructure spending and possible additional spending on food stamps. Those ideas had been suggested by Democratic leaders, but Reid had not actually finalized the agenda until Wednesday afternoon, said a senior Democratic aide.

The session would start on Monday afternoon, like a usual congressional workweek, and likely won’t last past Friday, said the aide, but cooperation from Senate Republicans will be necessary. The chamber is split between 49 Democrats and 49 Republicans, as well as two independents who are caucusing with the Democrats.

“We would hope after this election that we won't face the same obstruction as we have before," said the aide.

Republicans are likely to oppose the plan, although it is unclear how those who have lost their reelection races, such as Sens. John Sununu (N.H.), Elizabeth Dole (N.C.) and Gordon Smith (Ore.) will vote. 

National Republican Senatorial Committee Chairman John Ensign (Nev.) and Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) on Wednesday said they are opposed to it, and Ensign said he favored corporate tax rate cuts instead.

One financial services lobbyist closely connected with the stimulus plan said the GOP will offer stiff resistance.

“Senate Republicans hate it and the White House ain't crazy about it,” the lobbyist said.

The final price tag for the stimulus package is likely to be at least $60 billion, and it will push other Senate business off the radar screen. It is unlikely, for example, that a large omnibus package of bills being blocked by Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) will make it to the chamber floor by the end of the week.