WASHINGTON - Although Barack Obama has been called president-elect since election night, Congress will officially give him the title today.

The House and Senate are meeting in joint session to ratify the results of the Electoral College and certify Obama as president elect and Sen. Joseph Biden (D-Del.) as vice president elect.

Obama received 385 electoral votes and GOP nominee Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) received 173 votes. A candidate needs 270 votes to win the presidency.

Obama will mark the day by giving a speech at George Mason University discussing the importance of having Congress pass his economic stimulus package as quickly as possible.

"There is no doubt that the cost of this plan will be considerable. It will certainly add to the budget deficit in the short-term. But equally certain are the consequences of doing too little or nothing at all, for that will lead to an even greater deficit of jobs, incomes, and confidence in our economy," he said.

The package, which is likely to include spending programs and tax cuts, could cost $800 billion or more, according to some estimates.