President Barack Obama says protecting Libyans before the death of strongman Moammar Gadhafi and ending the war in Iraq have served as reminders of renewed U.S. leadership in the world.
Obama said in his weekly address Saturday that helping Libyans break free from a tyrant was the right thing to do.
On Friday, Obama announced the remaining 39,000 U.S. troops in Iraq are due home by the end of the year.
Obama also said in his Saturday address the United States must focus on its greatest challenge, rebuilding its economy and renewing its strength at home. He called on Congress to pass the American Jobs Act to help rebuild infrastructure and put people to work.
In the Republican address, Senator Richard Burr urged his party members to back an alternative to the president's bill.
On Thursday, a majority of Republican Senators rejected a portion of the president's bill to send federal assistance to cash-strapped local governments across the country.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
