EmailFrom Sunlen Miller:
In his weekly address President Obama calls on both parties to “come together” around a budget “that cuts spending without slowing our economic momentum.”
“We need a government that lives within its means without sacrificing job-creating investments in education, innovation, and infrastructure,” the president says.
Mr. Obama praises both parties for passing the continuing resolution this week, which he signed on Wednesday, to keep the government running for an additional two weeks — but he warns that the nation “can’t do business two weeks at a time.”
“It’s not responsible, and it threatens the progress our economy has been making. We’ve got to keep that momentum going.”
Repeating the administration line of the week — that they have met Republicans “halfway” on their proposed cuts — the president calls for both parties to come together and indicated that he is willing to cut more, yet gave no specifics.
“My administration has already put forward specific cuts that meet congressional Republicans halfway. And I’m prepared to do more. But we’ll only finish the job together – by sitting at the same table, working out our differences, and finding common ground. “
The president says that cuts have to be smart.
“Getting our fiscal house in order can’t just be something we use as cover to do away with things we dislike politically. And it can’t just be about how much we cut. It’s got to be about how we cut and how we invest. We’ve got to be smart about it. “
The president says this is a challenge he’s “confident” they will meet.
After meetings with Vice President Biden yesterday — and each side’s definition of meeting the other “halfway” — the jury is still out on whether the two sides can get there, though.
-Sunlen Miller