President Obama chided Congress for taking a five-week recess and leaving “behind a stack of unfinished business” in his weekly address Saturday. He urged lawmakers to renew the Export-Import Bank, pass a budget and “boost the economy,” when they return.
Obama began by praising his administration’s ability to work with states and municipalities across the country to implement paid sick days and family leave. Obama highlighted the growing economy which he said had created “13 million new jobs over the past five and a half years.”
“Now, we need Congress to do its part to boost the economy, as well,” said Obama. “Unfortunately, Congress left town for five full weeks — and they left behind a stack of unfinished business.”
Obama claimed that lawmakers’ failure to renew the Ex-Im Bank has “left thousands of business owners and their employees at a serious disadvantage compared to their competitors overseas.” Conservative lawmakers oppose the bank, which guarantees loans to foreign purchasers, and allowed its charter to expire on July 1.
Obama’s position on the bank has flip-flopped — in 2008 as a candidate he called the bank “little more than a fund for corporate welfare.”
Now a strong supporter, Obama urged Congress to put reauthorizing the bank at the “top” of their agenda when they return from recess.
Obama said Congress should then pass a budget and he complained that lawmakers have waited all year to do so.
“Congress also hasn’t passed a budget — and when they return from vacation, they’ll only have a few weeks to do so, or shut down the government for the second time in two years,” said Obama. “They’ve had all year to do this.”
The president skewered any “senseless cuts to domestic and national security priorities” and urged Congress to “remember, we can’t cut our way to prosperity.”
Congress should invest in education, infrastructure, and scientific research, he said.
“Democrats in Congress have made it clear they’re ready to sit down and work with Republicans to find common ground on this,” said Obama. “After all, Americans expect Congress to help keep our country strong and growing — not threaten to shut down our government. When Congress gets back, they should prevent a shutdown, pass a responsible budget, and prove that this is a country that looks forward — a country that invests in our future, and keeps our economy growing for all Americans.”
