In his weekly address, President Obama pressed Republicans in Congress to justify their opposition to his $447 billion jobs bill and reiterated his plea for them to “pass this jobs bill.”

“Some Republicans in Congress have said that they agree with certain parts of this jobs bill.” Obama said. “If so, it’s time for them to tell me what those proposals are.  And if they’re opposed to this jobs bill, I’d like to know what exactly they’re against.  Are they against putting teachers and police officers and firefighters back on the job?  Are they against hiring construction workers to rebuild our roads and bridges and schools?  Are they against giving tax cuts to virtually every worker and small business in America?”

The Senate is expected to take up the bill next month and, while the president continues to urge Congress to pass the American Jobs Act in full, the White House has said Obama would accept a piecemeal approach to passing the legislation if Congress rejects the package in full.

“Economists from across the political spectrum have said that this jobs bill would boost the economy and spur hiring.  Why would you be against that — especially at a time when so many Americans are struggling and out of work?” Obama asked.

But, the president argued that this “isn’t just about what I think is right.  It’s not just about what a group of economists think is right,” it’s about what Americans want and need.

To make his case, Obama highlighted letters he has received from Americans struggling in this economy, including a small business owner, a young woman eager to go to college and a mom who worries about driving her children across a decaying bridge on their daily ride to school.

“These are the people who need a win, and I will be fighting for this jobs bill every day on their behalf,” he said. “It is time for the politics to end.  Let’s pass this jobs bill.”