BY DAN ROBINSON – President Obama is urging the U.S. Congress to act quickly on a $447-billion bill he is sending to Capitol Hill aimed at giving the U.S. economy a jolt by creating jobs. Obama’s ability to get the legislation through Congress, with support from opposition Republicans, is key to his re-election chances in 2012.
As promised in his address last week to a joint session of Congress, the president is sending the The American Jobs Act to Capitol Hill.
Appearing in the White House Rose Garden with about two-dozen American workers, Obama held up a copy of the bill and said he expects quick action. “No games, no politics, no delays. I am sending this bill to Congress today and they ought to pass it immediately,” he said.
With national unemployment stuck above nine percent, worse in some key states, Obama’s 2012 re-election hopes are pinned to a great degree on winning congressional approval of the bill.
Republicans greeted the plan, which combines tax cuts, infrastructure spending and job training proposals, with skepticism — but indicated they could support some aspects of it.
The president goes back on the road this week to urge Americans to put pressure on Congress.
He makes another visit to Ohio on Tuesday, one of the most important election states and home to the top Republican in Congress John Boehner. Obama goes to North Carolina on Wednesday to promote the jobs package.