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Obama unveils crucial US jobs plan
8 September 2011 Last updated at 19:54 ET
President Obama urged lawmakers to “pass this jobs plan right away”US President Barack Obama has urged lawmakers to back his ambitious proposals aimed at creating more jobs and cutting taxes.
In a rare address to a joint session of Congress, Mr Obama said his American Jobs Act would help boost the flagging US economy.
He urged both Democrats and Republicans to pass the plan – worth more than $400bn (£250bn) – “right away”.
Republican opponents have described the bill as Mr Obama’s re-election plan.
US unemployment, currently jammed at 9.1%, is expected to dominate the 2012 presidential election campaign.
‘Obstructionists’
“I am sending this Congress a plan that should pass right away. It’s called the American Jobs Act,” President Obama said in his speech late on Thursday.
“There should be nothing controversial about this piece of legislation. Everything in here is the kind of proposal that’s been supported by both Democrats and Republicans – including many who sit here tonight. And everything in this bill will be paid for. Everything.”
The president said the proposals would help to further develop “a world-class transportation system” in the US “repair and modernise at least 35,000 schools”.
He added: “Pass this jobs bill, and all small business owners will also see their payroll taxes cut in half next year.”
Mr Obama also stressed that “a week from Monday, I’ll be releasing a more ambitious deficit plan – plan that will not only cover the cost of this jobs bill, but stabilise our debt in the long run”.
The president wants to submit the bill to Congress next week.
Correspondents say that if Republicans reject the plan, the White House will seek to portray them as economic obstructionists.
After the summer’s bitter partisan warfare over the country’s debt levels, which prompted a historic US government credit downgrade, the president’s approval numbers are sagging badly, though poll ratings for Congress have been even lower.
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