The President's remarks in Cincinnati earlier today were darn good. This extended excerpt in particular. Now, I know... we need more than just speeches - been there, done that. But I think we've proven our bona fides in terms of our willingness to challenge the President when we disagree with him. And on this speech, we don't disagree with him. This is the guy I voted for.
So my question to Congress is, what on Earth are you waiting for?
Now, the bridge behind us just so happens to connect the state that’s home to the Speaker of the House with the state that’s home to the Minority Leader of the Senate. Sheer coincidence, of course. But part of the reason I came here is because Mr. Boehner and Mr. McConnell are the two most powerful Republicans in government. They can either kill this jobs bill, or they can help us pass it.
I know these men care about their states. And I can’t imagine that the Speaker wants to represent a state where nearly one in four bridges is classified as substandard. I know that when Senator McConnell visited the closed bridge in Kentucky, he said that “roads and bridges are not partisan in Washington.” I know that Paul Ryan, the Republican in charge of the budget process, recently said you can’t deny that “infrastructure does create jobs.”
Well if that’s the case, then there’s no reason for Republicans in Congress to stand in the way of more construction projects. There’s no reason to stand in the way of more jobs. Mr. Boehner, Mr. McConnell, help us rebuild this bridge. Help us rebuild America. Help us put this country back to work. Pass this jobs bill right away.
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It is time to build an economy that creates good, middle-class jobs in this country. It’s time to build an economy that honors the values of hard work and responsibility. It’s time to build an economy that lasts.
Cincinnati, that starts now. That starts with your help. Maybe some of the people in Congress would rather settle our differences at the ballot box than work together right now. Awhile back, Senator McConnell said that his top priority for the next two years is to defeat the President. Not jobs. Not the economy. Just politics – from now until the election.
Well I’ve got news for him, and every other Member of Congress who feels that way: the next election is 14 months away. And the American people don’t have the luxury of waiting that long. A lot of folks are living week to week; paycheck to paycheck; even day to day. They need action, and they need it now.
