With the national unemployment rate stuck at 9.1 percent and a growing number of economists saying the economy could be sliding into a double-dip recession, President Obama’s address to Congress on Thursday could be one of the most important speeches of his presidency.
Obama is expected to use his address to lay out a plan — estimated to cost at least $300 billion — that would stimulate the economy by extending payroll tax cuts and jobless benefits, increasing spending on infrastructure projects and funneling more federal aid to state and local governments.
Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers have refused to support any new spending, no matter how many jobs the White House claims are at stake.
White House officials are planning to respond by casting Republicans as obstructionists and blaming them for lackluster job growth if they refuse to get behind the president’s plan.
“If the Congress doesn’t want to act, and the Congress wants to just continue — especially the majority in the House — if they just want to continue saying no to everything and have political theater and worry about the election next year and stop the economy today in anticipation of an election 14 months [from now], that’s not why the American people sent them to this town,” White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley said on CBS’ “Early Show” Thursday. “They sent them to this town, as they sent the president, to get up every day and try to accomplish something, not just talk.”
Obama’s most costly proposal is expected to be a $120 billion extension of the payroll tax cut, which expires this year and which provides about $1,000 to the average working American. The measure reduces employees’ Social Security deductions on their paychecks from 6.2 percent to 4.2 percent.
Obama’s proposals also include $100 billion for infrastructure projects like school and road construction and a $50 billion extension of jobless benefits.
Other proposals would give private employers a tax credit for hiring new workers and provide local governments with a similar incentive for hiring teachers and first responders.
Some Republican lawmakers planned to skip the joint session to express their opposition to Obama’s proposals.
“It really does seem like every time someone skins their knee the president wants to make a big speech,” Rep. Joe Walsh, R-Ill., said on CNN’s “Newsroom” on Thursday. “We’re beyond big speeches.” Walsh said he plans to fly home on Thursday to hold a town hall with business owners, instead of attending the president’s speech.
Rep. Paul Broun, R-Ga., said he plans to host a Twitter town hall with his constituents during the president’s remarks.
“I’m trying to listen to my constituents,” Broun said on CNN’s “American Morning.”
“This president does not listen. This is just another campaign speech,” said Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., who also said he will skip the speech.
House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, scolded the Republicans who planned to miss the president’s address.
“He is the president of the United States and I believe that all members ought to be here and do this,” Boehner said from the House floor.
Obama is scheduled to begin speaking at 7 p.m. His address will last roughly 45 minutes, according to White House officials.
