Obama: Republicans Blocking Economic Recovery
President says Republicans using procedural tactics to prevent Congress from voting on emergency unemployment assistance, other measures
President Obama records his weekly address for July 18, 2010
Last updated on: July 16, 2010 8:00 PM
U.S. President Barack Obama is accusing Republicans in Congress of blocking the U.S. economic recovery.
In his weekly address Saturday, Mr. Obama criticized Republicans for using procedural tactics to prevent Congress from voting on emergency unemployment assistance and other measures.
The U.S. president says extending insurance benefits to unemployed people is one of the most cost-effective ways to help the economy, but that some Republican leaders say the assistance discourages people from looking for work.
Mr. Obama called on the U.S. Congress to increase loans to small businesses, as well as extend unemployment insurance benefits.
U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, from the central state of Kansas, gave the Republican weekly address Saturday. He criticized Mr. Obama for appointing the main administrator for the government-run health programs Medicare and Medicaid while Congress was on recess earlier this month.
Roberts said Mr. Obama's move deprives Americans of the chance to learn about the new so-called "health czar," Donald Berwick.