WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told Congress on Monday that another wave of government spending may be needed as the economy limps through what could be an extended period of subpar growth.

"With the economy likely to be weak for several quarters, and with some risk of a protracted slowdown, consideration of a fiscal package by the Congress at this juncture seems appropriate," Bernanke told a congressional panel.

It was the first time the central bank chairman had explicitly endorsed a second stimulus package. The government sent out about $100 billion in tax rebate checks over the summer to try to jump-start the economy, but consumer spending has struggled since then. Retail sales fell for three consecutive months through September.

U.S. stocks jumped to a session high after Bernanke's comments in support of another stimulus package, though the Dow Jones industrial average gave up a little ground afterwards. Prices for government debt slipped initially while the dollar edged up.

"One of the most significant things is he's endorsing another fiscal package, which I think makes a lot of sense," said Nigel Gault, director of U.S. economic research at Global Insight in Lexington, Massachusetts.

"The government is acting as a support for the financial system, but it's also got to act as a support for the real economy, almost as a spender of last resort because the private sector spending is going to be declining pretty sharply."

For many months, Democrats in Congress have been pushing for a second economic stimulus measure that could spend up to tens of billions of dollars on domestic construction projects to repair aging roads, bridges and other infrastructure while at the same time creating jobs and local investment.

Democrats also want to provide more help to the poor hurt by the economic downturn, largely in the form of expanded food stamps and help with winter heating costs. They also want to expand federal spending to help states pay for growing health care costs for the poor.

Democrats, along with some Republicans, also have backed expanding unemployment benefits for the long-term jobless.

Some of these ideas were offered by Democrats during negotiations on the first economic stimulus passed early this year, but they were rejected by the Bush administration.

Sure would be nice to get it in time for Christmas. But I doubt it.

Before Christmas would be nice, but just to receive some extra would be nice as well too.

It would be nice to get some extra money, but I hope it doesn't bring us bad luck. We got our stimulus check this year, 2 weeks after a major hailstorm, and we had to use the stimulus check to get a new roof.

I would not complain in the least to get some extra money......

I just wish they wouldn't take so much of our money in the first place. Don't tax me to death, and then give me a "stimulus" check that was my money to begin with.

I have a feeling if it happens it would not be until early 2009. I sure would like it sooner and could certainly use it. We have put off some home improvment projects due to cash flow.

I'd love to get another bonus check but honestly I don't think it'll help people in a positive way.

what majority needs is a change of mindset in their spending habits. I remember the last time the stimulus checks were sent. People were buying plasma TV, I-phones, other non essential gizmos. after that, another round of stimuli?

I dread to find out revisions on our taxes next year with all these bailouts and talks of stimulus checks

Just because they are talking stimulis does not mean it will go to the general public as it did the last time. They can do a stimulis package in many different ways.