First Lady Michelle Obama promoted President Obama’s economic stimulus plan on Wednesday as she rallied hundreds of government employees at the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The government workers clapped, cheered and snapped photos in a packed auditorium as Mrs. Obama told the crowd that the stimulus plan would expand the availability of affordable housing, weatherize homes and help families hurt by the foreclosure crisis, among other things.

“We know times are hard right now,’’ said Mrs. Obama, who thanked the HUD employees for their hard work. “There are so many families who have lost their homes.’’

Mrs. Obama’s visit marked the second in a series of trips that Mrs. Obama plans to make to federal agencies in the coming weeks as she expands her profile as first lady. (On Monday, she visited the Department of Education.)

via thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com