The President called for swift passage of a jobs bill during his State of the Union Address on Wednesday.
Washington (WiredPRNews.com) – President Barack Obama gave a highly anticipated State of the Union Address on Wednesday, and called for more bipartisan efforts in rebuilding the economy. After reports of widespread anger of Americans for a continued struggle with job losses and other economic issues, the President attempted to inspire hope that positive changes were on the horizon, and could be achieved with bipartisan action stating “Again we are tested and again we must answer history’s call. …The worst of the storm has passed, but the devastation remains.” But despite the devastation, “I have never been more hopeful about America’s future than I am tonight…Despite our hardships, our union is strong, we do not give up, we do not quit.”
Obama touched on numerous issues during his speech, including bank bailouts, the national debt, military efforts, the creation of a new jobs bill, gay rights, the war, Haiti, and the controversial health care reform. Of the reform, Obama pleaded with Congress, “Don’t walk away from reform, not now, not when we are so close… let’s get it done.”
Obama also stated “Jobs must be our new focus in 2010 and that’s why I’m calling for a new jobs bill tonight.” To aid in sparking job growth, the president proposed that $30 billion that has been paid back in bank bailout funds be allocated for aiding small businesses as well as the building of clean energy facilities and granting tax breaks to companies who create jobs in America. Obama stated that such legislation will not make up for seven million jobs that have been lost, but can “lay a new foundation” for sustained economic growth.
Obama also noted a need for both parties to work together for any major economic changes to occur for the benefit of the American people, stating that he “refused to pass this problem along to another generation of Americans… I do not accept second place for the United States of America.”
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