U.S. President Barack Obama has urged lawmakers to pass a nearly $450 billion job creation plan combining tax cuts with government spending.
President Obama outlined the American Jobs Act in a speech before a joint session of Congress late Thursday. He said the United States is in a 搉ational crisis?and called for immediate action to revive the economy and improve people抯 lives.
During the televised address, Mr. Obama called for an end to partisan politics, describing it as a 損olitical circus,?and urged lawmakers to take steps to help the economy.
Mr. Obama said his proposal would cut taxes for workers and businesses and lead to new jobs for construction workers, teachers and other Americans. The bill includes initiatives to put people to work repairing and modernizing roads, railways, airports, waterways and at least 35,000 schools.
The president said it also offers tax credits to companies that hire long-term unemployed workers and cuts payroll taxes in half for every working American and every small business.
Recent figures showed job creation at a standstill, as concerns grow over the possibility of a second recession.