President Obama, who called for a new era of responsibility in his inaugural address, spoke out strongly today about reports of excessive bonuses by the CEOs of companies who have received bailout funds and despite huge fiscal losses.

"That is the height of irresponsibility. It is shameful," the president said this afternoon after an Oval Office meeting with his economic team.

He said his administration will be "having conversations" with business leaders to underscore his desire to see them "start acting in a more responsible fashion."

"There will be time for them to make profits, and there will be time for them to get bonuses -- now is not that time. And that's a message that I intend to send directly to them," he said.

He noted that Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner has already acted in the case of Citicorp, which had intended to purchase a corporate jet priced at about $50 million, despite receiving billions in TARP funds.

"We shouldn't have to do that because they should know better. And we will continue to send that message loud and clear," he said.

The president only briefly mentioned the stimulus vote, but did not comment at length about the lack of GOP support. He was, however, asked about the Super Bowl, indicating a preference for the Steelers on Sunday