In an aggressive effort to jump-start the economy, President Barack Obama signed the $787 billion stimulus bill -- the largest economic stimulus plan in decades -- into law Tuesday at Denver’s Museum of Art and Science.

“What makes this recovery plan so important, is not just that it will create or save three-and-a-half million jobs over the next two years…it’s that we’re putting Americans to work doing the work that America needs done…in critical areas that have been neglected for too long,” President Obama said at the signing in Denver.

After weeks of debate in Congress, the bill was passed last Friday in the House and Senate; however only three Republicans signed the bill. President Obama chose the Denver Museum of Nature and Science as his stage from which to sign the legislation, in an effort to emphasize the plan’s investments in “green” ventures.

Before signing the bill into law, the administration launched a new Web site, www.recovery.gov, which features a timeline showing when funding will be made available and demonstrating how the money from the package is spent.

“We want transparency and accountability throughout this process,” the President said.

Click here to view the government's Web site on where taxpayer dollars are going

President Obama announced that he will assign a team of managers the task of watching to be sure money is invested “wisely and well.”

The plan is poised to filter money into renewable energy technology, infrastructure projects and health care. It includes funding to state governments, as well as a $400 tax break for individuals and $800 for couples. The package will also increase unemployment benefits and relief programs such as health insurance subsidies and food stamps.

The stimulus will also make investments in education. The plan provides emergency aid to public schools and colleges.

“Because we know America can’t compete with the world tomorrow if our children are being out-educated today, we’re making the largest investment in education in our nation’s history,” the President said Tuesday.

Republicans remain unconvinced of the plan’s proposed usefulness. Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Michael Steele released a statement in which he warned that Americans would be disappointed by the spending package.

“The transparency and bipartisanship that President Obama promised the American people was sacrificed to pass a pork-laden bill without any public review or meaningful Republican support,” Steele’s statement said.

“In these difficult economic times, it is imperative that Republicans and Democrats work together to create new jobs and grow the economy,” Steele continued. “Instead, Congressional Democrats worked behind closed doors to write legislation that will fall short of creating the promised new jobs, but will guarantee a larger debt burden on our children and grandchildren.”