By Richard Cowan and Thomas Ferraro

WASHINGTON, Jan 28 (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama's $825 billion package to stem the U.S. recession headed toward anticipated passage on Wednesday in a sharply divided House of Representatives.

Most House Republicans were expected to oppose the proposal, saying it needs more tax cuts and less spending, but Democrats were confident that they had the votes to push it through as they seek a final bill for Obama to sign into law by mid-February.

"Some of us have heard the voice of the American people and their call for change" in the November election, said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a California Democrat.

The Democratic-led Senate is expected to pass a somewhat more costly version of the proposal, which would force the two chambers to work out differences.

But before the Senate votes, Republicans are hoping to win some modifications that would be supported by the Democratic president.

Obama met on Capitol Hill on Tuesday with House and Senate Republicans. While he again said he would listen to their ideas, Obama noted the urgency in passing legislation.

"The main message I have is that the statistics every day underscore the urgency of the economic situation. The American people expect action," Obama said.

Shortly before Obama arrived, House Minority Leader John Boehner told fellow Republicans he could not vote for the stimulus bill in its current form and encouraged them to vote against it, a Boehner spokesman said.