President Obama wants Congress to move the economic recovery forward by "passing a few common-sense policies" on his "to-do list."
"It’s short, but each of the ideas on this list will help create jobs and build a stronger economy right now," Obama said in his weekly address.
The five-point list, which the
president unveiled earlier in the week, has proposals Obama says enjoy bipartisan support.
It includes:
- Ending tax breaks for "companies that ship jobs overseas"
- Helping home owners refinance mortgages at lower rates
- Giving small businesses tax breaks for hiring new workers
- Extending tax credits for energy companies
- Creating a "Veterans Job Corps" for service members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan
"I’ve been pushing Congress to help us get there by passing a few common-sense policies that would make a difference," Obama said. "Democrats and Republicans have already done some important work together – from passing tax cuts for workers, to opening up new markets for American products, to reforming our patent system. But now we need to do more."
In the Republican weekly address, Rep. Kristi Noem (S.D.) said the best way to improve the economy is for Democrats to act on the GOP's House-passed agenda.
“All told, more than two dozen House-passed jobs bills are awaiting action in the Democratic-controlled Senate. If the president is truly serious about doing what’s best for women, young people – and all Americans – working on these jobs bills should be our focus,” she said.
