U.S. President Barack Obama is stepping up his appeal to Senators to back his jobs bill ahead of Tuesday's vote on whether to debate the measure.
During his recorded weekly address Saturday, Obama said there is no reason Congress should not back the $447 billion jobs bill that he says will return tens of thousands of Americans to the workforce.
Speaking from an auto plant in the north-central state of Michigan that saved hundreds of jobs through a government deal, President Obama said the country cannot afford Congress not approving the bill that he says will help restore economic stability to the middle class.
Watch President Obama weekly address:
In the Republican address, House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy of the western state of California, said creating jobs for Americans should not be an exercise in partisan gamesmanship and self promotion.
Congressman McCarthy says the Republicans' jobs plan includes proposals on which both parties can agree.
Weekly Republican address:
Watch a related report by Mil Arcega