Obama scolds Congress for "skipping town"

(CBS News) If members of Congress hadn't "skipped town" last week, President Obama said in a particularly pointed weekly address, U.S. veterans would be enjoying a strengthened job corps, farmers would have the means to respond to natural disasters like the recent Midwest drought, homeowners would be saving an extra $3,000 a year on their mortgages, and 98 percent of Americans would have peace of mind that their taxes won't be raised on Jan. 1.

"Last week, without much fanfare, Members of the House of Representatives banged a gavel, turned out the lights, and rushed home, declaring their work finished for now. If that frustrates you, it should - because their work isn't finished," the president said. "Apparently, some Members of Congress are more worried about their jobs and their paychecks this campaign season than they are about yours."

For nearly three minutes, the president reprimanded members of the House - Republicans, specifically - for leaving a mountain of unfinished business on their desks when they adjourned Friday after only eight days in session. He cited bills which, if passed, would provide emergency response aid to farmers, help veterans find jobs after returning from service, and allow homeowners to refinance "at historically low rates."

"All of these ideas would strengthen our economy and help the middle class right now - all of them are supported by Democrats, Republicans and Independents," he said, calling on members of Congress to act quickly on the bills when they return to the Hill in November. "There's no reason to wait."

Perhaps most pressingly - considering a Jan. 1 trigger that would immediately spike tax rates across the board - Congress has not yet passed a bill that would extend the Bush-era tax cuts for those earning less than $250,000, something the president said "we all agree on."

"Republicans in Congress have refused to budge," he continued. "They're holding tax cuts for 98 percent of Americans hostage until we pass tax cuts for the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans."

Delivering the GOP response, though, Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala. - the ranking Republican on the Senate Budget Committee - said it is Senate Democrats who should be faulted for the legislative gridlock. The Senate adjourned early Saturday morning after passing a spending measure, and will not return until after Election Day.

"The American people see the financial chaos - they know it must stop," Sessions said. "Adding to the chaos, the Senate Democrat Majority has decided to adjourn through November having utterly failed to meet its most basic obligations. For the last three years, in a time of national crisis, Senate Democrats have deliberately violated the legal requirement to produce a budget plan.

"How can they ask the American people to send them one more dime in new taxes when they won't even meet their legal duty to write a financial plan and tell how that money will be spent?" Sessions continued. "If given the chance, Republicans will get this government under control. A Republican Senate will pass a budget."

[tuckbodi]

I'm unemployed. I need a job. Being a Congressman looks pretty sweet. Who do I have to pay to get a job like that?

[MyNewone]

Obama had a do-nothing Congress and Senate, there are certain congressmen and senators ""from both parties"" from the deep South "Do not like OBAMA" if you know what I mean, they are determined they are going to get him out of office, so they Argue, Fight, and Block each other.
Now "IF" Mitt Romney he will have the same problem a do-nothing Congress and Senate, Argue, Fight, and Block each other, certain Congress and Senate ""in both parties"" they will do everything they can to get MITT out of office, because of his Religion and his Successful Business Profile.
So the real problem is Congress and Senate ""in both parties"" there are a bunch of smoke and mirrors narc*ssist that do not like each other, they argue and yell they fight block each other. ""Say a lot but Say nothing Windbags"" they do not care about the American people they are supposedly representing, they only care about special insider interests .
Solution to the problem; vote these people out of office ""in both parties"", and then establish term limits two know more, put a stop to corrupt career politicians.
If the corrupt career politicians ""in both parties"" remain in office, it will be status quo, for the American people.

[Lucky12345678]

Obama has extended the Bush Tax Cuts for two years NOW... as the Bush tax cuts were for 10 years only. Stop calling them the Bush tax cuts, they are the Obama tax cuts now and he wants to extend more than half of them again, but only for the middle class! Stop looking at the past and try focusing on today and then change the government policies NOW... Your kid's future is at stake, no more temporary tax cuts!!! Look to Europe for a perfect example of what a government should NOT do...

[dojowens]

Another great example of Obama leadership. Spend a few minutes acting like you're the leader of this country. Now run do what you do best - running for president instead of BEING the president

[0bama2O12]

They use to say "Give 'em hell, Harry". Give 'em hell Barack!

[Dancing-in-the-Streets]

: )

[dainmv]

Like most of Obama's comments, he uses the media to do his work. Why didn't he take off time from campaigning to go do his job and roll up his sleeves meet with congress and try to get more done. No, instead, he takes the easy way out and does what he does so well pushes blame. What a lousy leader he is, and to think, a lot of Americans still want this circus and it's head clown, to go back to Washington.

[dj_chi]

How many times does it need to be said, Obama isn't in charge of Congress. They are two equal branches of government. Boehner doesn't need to wait for Obama, he can 'lead" himself.

When Boehner, McConnell and Gingrich publicly say they are going to make this a 1-term president as their "number one goal" then there's no hope for country coming before party.

[sjc_1]

It was obvious that the TeaPublicans in the House would never listen. They tried 33 TIMES to repeal the ACA, when once or twice would have given them the idea that they needed to move on to more important business.

[takacrat]

Did he do this before going to the Golf Course or after he was there and seen that it was vacant!

[dj_chi]

Boehner had all the tee times booked for himself.

[pleiku10]

by hakori September 23, 2012 7:55 AM EDT
Seriously? You have the gall or the sheer ignorance to bring up Obama's golfing? I know conservatives have short memories, but really? The MOST vacationing golfing president in histroy was GWB. Do you not remember when this country was reeling from 911-which happened because GWB's adminstration ignored the warnings leading up to that horrible day? Do you not remember "I call upon all nations to do everything they can to stop these terrorist killers--now watch this swing"? The hypocrisy has to stop. Oh, one more thing: Obama is going to win, so get used to it. The dems will keep the Senate and maybe, just maybe, take back the House. Then perhaps we can undo the damage your increasingly radicalized party had done.

If you want to just take a slice of history, remember that Yemen had Osama Bin Laden in custody and offered him to Bill Clinton, but Clinton refused to take him!!!!!!

[hakori]

pleiku10, If you'd like a litte slice of history, what about this... March 13, 2002, in regard to a question about Bin Laden during a press conference of then President GW Bush, "I'm truely not that concerned about him". Only months after 911 and he's not that concerned? Another little slice of history: one month before the 911 attacks then President GW Bush was given an intelligenc report entitled "Bin Laden Determined to Strike in U.S.". It was ignored. And for another little slice of history, Obama did in two years what Bush couldn't in eight. Now that's history!!!

[hakori]

pleiku10, do you mean Sudan instead of Yemen? If so, there was no credible evidence that the offer ever happened?

[USSAmerikan]

Congress is just following Obama's great leadership. He has led by example, just check out the hundreds of thousands of your dollars he blows yearly on golf fees at the Vineyard Golf Club. Heck, by Father's day this year, Obama had already reached the 100th outing mark since he took office, seven of his trips having taken place during the golf spill crisis, breakin the promise of "not resting until the leak was plugged".

[retmw1]

How many rounds of golf has boehner played since becoming speaker, bet he has Obama beat.

[hakori]

Seriously? You have the gall or the sheer ignorance to bring up Obama's golfing? I know conservatives have short memories, but really? The MOST vacationing golfing president in histroy was GWB. Do you not remember when this country was reeling from 911-which happened because GWB's adminstration ignored the warnings leading up to that horrible day? Do you not remember "I call upon all nations to do everything they can to stop these terrorist killers--now watch this swing"? The hypocrisy has to stop. Oh, one more thing: Obama is going to win, so get used to it. The dems will keep the Senate and maybe, just maybe, take back the House. Then perhaps we can undo the damage your increasingly radicalized party had done.

[Solarrays247]

by Ridgenose September 22, 2012 5:02 PM EDT
Obama haters are salivating again--probably from rabies. Yes, the Republicans who have left a scorched earth policy for President Obama Congress have once again continued their own little jihad replete with tea party uniforms. Whilst they parade around in their little get-ups lets pay homage to the great patriots who signed the Declaration of Independence and risked their lives, land and fortunes. Tea partyers risk being seen in their little frocks such brave people.

The Republicans in the House and Senate have devoted 90% of their energy to obstruction, obfuscation, denial, sabotage of everything the President has tried to do. All the while conning us into the idea that "both sides" are to blame. No one side is to blame and it would destroy the country to make President Obama a one term president. Their patriotism is in the words of HL Mencken the last refuge of scoundrels. So let's hope the electorate remembers who went home as they suffer the slings and arrows of indifference and partisan politics dished up by the Republicans... is Karl Rove listening?
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Bravo! This will be the first year in over forty years of voting that I'll be voting straight ticket....Democrat!