Press Conference

Obama to Congress: Help Create Jobs

Calls for trade agreements, middle-class tax cuts now.

President Barack Obama tried to put the focus back on the economy in his press conference Wednesday at the White House. He said his administration is taking steps to create more jobs—like promoting manufacturing training for 500,000 workers. But he pointed the finger at Congress, urging members to pass trade agreements to sell goods to Asia and South America. And he called on Congress to pass a bill to expedite loans to private companies to build roads and bridges and employ construction workers. He also said Congress should extend payroll tax cuts to the middle class for one more year. “That’s pending in Congress, right now,” he said repeatedly.