President Addresses Congress and Nation
Obama calls for Congress to pass Jobs Bill immediately.
Compiled by staff
Published: Sep 9, 2011
During a joint session of Congress Thursday night, President Barrack Obama unveiled his American Jobs Act.
"I am sending this Congress a plan that you should pass right away. It's called the American Jobs Act," Obama said. "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 told Congress and the national audience that putting people back to work and putting more money in the pockets of those who are working is the purpose of this legislation. Under the American Jobs Act, small businesses will get a tax cut if they hire new workers or raise workers' wages. Pass this jobs bill, and all small business owners will also see their payroll taxes cut in half next year. According to the President, it will create more jobs for construction workers, more jobs for teachers, more jobs for veterans, and more jobs for the long-term unemployed.
"The American Jobs Act answers the urgent need to create jobs right away. But we can’t stop there," Obama said. "As I’ve argued since I ran for this office, we have to look beyond the immediate crisis and start building an economy that lasts into the future – an economy that creates good, middle-class jobs that pay well and offer security. We now live in a world where technology has made it possible for companies to take their business anywhere. If we want them to start here and stay here and hire here, we have to be able to out-build, out-educate, and out-innovate every other country on Earth."
President Obama did mention the stalled free trade agreements and called for clearing the way for the deals with South Korea, Panama, and Colombia to be passed.
"Now it’s time to clear the way for a series of trade agreements that would make it easier for American companies to sell their products in Panama, Colombia, and South Korea – while also helping the workers whose jobs have been affected by global competition," Obama said. "If Americans can buy Kias and Hyundais, I want to see folks in South Korea driving Fords and Chevys and Chryslers. I want to see more products sold around the world stamped with three proud words - Made in America."
As part of his national address Thursday, President Obama said his American Jobs Act would help modernize 3,500 schools and put thousands of teachers back in the classroom, where they belong. Obama’s proposal basically includes programs that have already received bipartisan support across Congressional isles. That would include eliminating tax loop-holes for the many Americans who can afford to pay more taxes.
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