Obama to Expand Opportunities for Americans

U.S. President Barack Obama says too many Americans are "working harder than ever," but are just getting by.

Obama said in his weekly address Saturday that trend must be reversed to develop an economy that "works for everyone, not just a fortunate few."

The U.S. leader said he wanted to work with Congress on this agenda, but would take "take steps without legislation" to expand opportunities for more American families.

He said he has already ordered "across-the-board reform" of training programs, insuring that people learn the skills employers need, and match trainees with employers to jobs that need to be filled immediately.

The U.S. leader said he has also directed the Treasury Department to create a "my-RA," a new way for working Americans to start their own retirement savings.

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Republicans said Obama was overreaching his executive powers by sidestepping Congress by taking such actions.

In the Republican address Saturday, Senator Richard Burr focused on the Veterans Affairs Department's disability claims backlog, noting the number of unanswered claims has declined. But he said the backup was still high and veterans still encounter errors in their claims.

^{Watch weekly Republican address:}