Congressional Democrats echoed Obama’s call for urgent action, with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., saying “time is of the essence.” However, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said she didn’t hold out much hope that Republicans could be brought on board.

“I’m not overly optimistic that we could get Republican votes for the bill, but that doesn’t mean we couldn’t incorporate some of their good ideas into legislation should they put some on the table,” she said. “I hope that something will come of this.”