U.S. President Barack Obama says 2014 will be a year of action.
Obama said Saturday that action should begin with Congress extending unemployment insurance for the 1.3 million Americans who were laid off during the recession.
In his weekly address, the president called the federal program a "vital economic lifeline" that helps people support their families while they look for a new job.
The president he will meet with college presidents next week to lay out specific steps to help more workers learn the skills needed for today's jobs.
In the Republican address, Senator Thad Cochran of Mississippi pushed for Obama's health care law to be repealed or defunded. He said the nation should start over and come up with a new health plan.