WASHINGTON -LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Promising `` a new era of openness in our country , '' President Obama signed executive orders Wednesday relating to ethics guidelines for staff members of his administration . Members of the National Economic Council brief President Obama on the economy Wednesday . `` Transparency and the rule of law will be the touchstones of this presidency , '' Obama said . In his first full day in office , Obama touched upon many of the major issues facing his administration , and even carved out time to retake the oath of office . The move was aimed at dispelling any confusion that might arise from Tuesday 's oath , which Chief Justice John Roberts flubbed by mixing up the order of the words . The do-over was also intended to erase any questions regarding the legitimacy of Obama 's presidency , although per the Constitution , Obama became president at noon Tuesday without taking the oath . Earlier in the day , Obama said he would issue a pay freeze for his senior staff members . The new president has also promised swift action on the beleaguered economy . House Democrats , at Obama 's urging , have signed an $ 825 billion economic recovery package that the president says will save or create up to 4 million jobs and invest in health care , energy and education . Watch Obama address his staff '' House Republican leaders , however , asked to meet with Obama on Thursday to offer major changes to the recovery proposal . `` The challenge as we see it is to create a plan that helps middle-class taxpayers and small businesses without wasting money or exploding our national deficit , '' the leaders wrote in a letter to the new president . Rep. Paul Ryan , the top Republican on the House Budget committee , argued that the main tax provision in the Democrats ' plan -- cutting payroll taxes -- was not an effective way to jump-start the economy . House Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence declined to say whether the Democrats ' package would get any Republican support if it did n't change significantly . Obama also moved fast to address a campaign promise to close the controversial Guantanamo Bay detention facility . The administration is drafting executive orders calling for the closure of the detention facility , according to two administration officials . Obama began the day with a moment of solitude in the Oval Office . When he arrived , he spent 10 minutes alone there , reading a note left for him on a desk by outgoing President George W. Bush . White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel met with the president 10 minutes later to discuss the daily schedule , White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said . Obama called Middle East leaders , including King Abdullah of Jordan , Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert , Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak , Gibbs said . On Sunday , Israel and Palestinian militants declared a cease-fire after 22 days of fighting in Gaza . First lady Michelle Obama joined her husband in the Oval Office at 9:10 a.m. , shortly before the first couple departed for the National Prayer Service at Washington National Cathedral . Later in the day , Obama and the first lady greeted those who came to the White House for a formal open house . Obama joked , `` Do n't break anything . '' Obama also met with his economic team and top brass from the Pentagon . iReport.com : What do you think Obama should do first ? Later in the afternoon , he met with the Ambassador to Iraq , the commander in Iraq , and the `` theater commander '' in the region for an update on the situation in Iraq . `` The meeting was productive and I very much appreciated receiving assessments from these experienced and dedicated individuals . During the discussion , I asked the military leadership to engage in additional planning necessary to execute a responsible military drawdown from Iraq , '' he said in a statement . `` In the coming days and weeks , I will also visit the Department of Defense to consult with the Joint Chiefs on these issues , and we will undertake a full review of the situation in Afghanistan in order to develop a comprehensive policy for the entire region , '' he said . He plans to tell the top U.S. officers that he wants them to plan to have combat forces out of Iraq in 16 months , as he promised during his election campaign , an adviser said .