President Barack Obama will continue to urge Congress to act on his five-step 'to do' list until there is movement on some of the key issues, he said in his weekly video address. He will also push the list at a campaign event next week in Washington, D.C.
"We need [Congresspeople] to start crossing things off [the list]. I need you to call your Members of Congress, write an email, tweet, and let them know we can't afford to wait any longer to get things done, Obama said in the weekly address. "Tell them now is the time to take steps we know will grow our economy and create jobs."
The to-do list, which the President says lays out five steps Congress can take to help create American jobs, was released Monday amid further polls showing the President lagging behind GOP presumptive presidential candidate Mitt Romney on economic issues.
Gallup released a poll Thursday showing voters think Romney would be more likely to do a 'good' or 'very good' job handling the economy than the President. The poll had Romney leading Obama 61 to 52 percent among respondents. But the President said Saturday negative perceptions about the economy come from Congressional feet-dragging - cue the 'to do' list.
"You're working harder. You're meeting your responsibilities. Your representatives in Washington should do the same. Let's push Congress to do the right thing," he said in his address.
The list's five steps include ending tax breaks to companies that ship jobs overseas, helping those Americans who pay their mortgages on time refinance their homes, giving tax breaks to small businesses, extending tax credits to clean energy companies and creating a Veterans Job Corps.
Characterizing the Republicans as negative and pessimistic, the President said today the 'to do' list could be implemented now if Congress decided to do so.
"There are things we can do - right now - to help create jobs and restore some of the financial security that so many families have lost. Now, the other side isn't so optimistic. They think all we can do is cut taxes - especially for the wealthiest Americans - and go back to letting banks and corporations write their own rules again. That's their plan. But I think they're wrong."
Amid various events next week including giving a commencement speech at Barnard College, welcoming the L.A. Galaxy to the White House, handing out a Medal of Honor and hosting a dinner for the Combatant Commanders and spouses, President Obama will also tout this list at a campaign event Wednesday in the capital.
by RTT Staff Writer
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