U.S. President Obama to address Congress
Baku, September 8 (AZERTAC). Less than a month after a standoff between the White House and congressional Republicans about raising the nation`s debt ceiling, President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner are facing off again - this time over the date of Obama`s planned address to Congress about his new jobs proposal.
The president asked Congress to let him deliver the jobs speech in prime time on September 7, but Boehner, R-Ohio, suggested September 8 instead.
White House spokesman Jay Carney said Obama will address Congress because it will need to pass legislation on the jobs package. "The venue is appropriate because of the action that needs to be taken," Carney said.
Carney said aides were aware of the Republican debate, scheduled for the Ronald Reagan library in Southern California and set to be televised by MSNBC.
In his letter to Congress, Obama wrote that he plans "to lay out a series of bipartisan proposals that the Congress can take immediately to continue to rebuild the American economy by strengthening small businesses, helping Americans get back to work and putting more money in the paychecks of the middle class and working Americans, while still reducing our deficit and getting our fiscal house in order."
Obama will pitch some of his ideas to the new congressional "supercommittee" looking for ways to reduce the nation`s $14.6 trillion debt.
"It is our responsibility to find bipartisan solutions to help grow our economy, and if we are willing to put country before party, I am confident we can do just that," the president said.
Little more than 14 months before his re-election bid goes to the voters, Obama continues to wrestle with a sluggish economy, an up-and-down stock market, a struggling housing market and an unemployment rate pegged at 9.1%. New job numbers are scheduled to be released Friday.
Among the potential proposals in Obama`s speech: tax credits to encourage new hiring by businesses, federal funding to boost construction on public works projects and school repairs, approval of free-trade agreements and additional help for the long-term unemployed.
Paying for the plan will be discussed. "It will be paid for," Carney said.
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