House Speaker Nancy Pelosi tried Thursday to tamp down speculation about another economic stimulus plan, saying she wants to give the $787 billion package enacted earlier this year more of a chance to work.

“I’m committed to the first stimulus, and to giving it time to work,” Pelosi told reporters.

But she said there are other things Congress can do to help the economy if the recession doesn’t show signs of easing soon. Another extension of unemployment benefits might be possible, she said, along with a decision to pass a giant new highway bill that Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman James L. Oberstar , D-Minn., has been pushing.

But Pelosi also acknowledged concerns about the amount of money the government has already spent to shore up sectors of the economy. “We have to be very careful about the spending on this,” she said.

If the Obama administration comes to Congress and asks for another round of stimulus, Pelosi said she will consider it. “At this point, let the [current] stimulus work,” she said.