Obama Urges Congress to Put Americans First

President Barack Obama on Saturday said Congress needs to move beyond political brinksmanship and pass a series of proposals "right now" that would jolt the economy from its recently slow growth.


"Many Americans are hurting badly right now," President Obama said in his weekly radio address to the nation. He said later, "Putting these men and women back to work, and growing wages for everyone, has got to be our top priority."


Following a months-long standoff with Congress over the U.S. debt ceiling that barely missed resulting in a default, the president has put forth proposals aimed at expanding the nation's economy. While Congress did act in time, one ratings firm downgraded the nation's debt amid concerns the political will for spending cuts is dim.


The president reiterated his call for Congress to pass a series of trade deals along with legislation that would revamp the patent system, extend the payroll-tax holiday and provide businesses with tax credits for hiring veterans.


Mr. Obama, who is heading on a three-state bus tour next week to discuss the economy, says he plans to "put forward more proposals to help our businesses hire and create jobs, and won't stop until every American who wants a job can find one."


He added that he he is "frustrated" with the level of partisanship and brinksmanship witnessed in the last month.


The president had last week what many consider the worst of his presidency. He signed into law a bill to raise the debt limit—just hours before the nation faced the possibility of defaulting on his obligations. Stock markets fluctuated wildly. Thirty U.S. soldiers were killed in Afghanistan—the single greatest loss of life in a day for U.S. forces since the war began about a decade ago. And Standard & Poor's, a ratings firm, stripped the U.S. of its coveted AAA credit rating.


Sen. Pat Toomey, a Republican from Pennsylvania, delivered the weekly radio address for the Republican party. He said the Obama administration's policies aren't working and said government needs to get out of the way and reduce burdensome regulations.


During his weekly address Saturday, Obama said too many Americans are struggling to get by. He said Congress should extend payroll tax cuts that save the average American family $1,000 a year.


President Obama says there is no excuse for "inaction," and he believes Congress will find common ground to move the country forward.


In the Republican Party's weekly address, Senator Pat Toomey blamed the Obama administration's policies for the economic stalemate and slow job growth in the United States.


Toomey said too many government regulations have discouraged businesses from hiring.