In his weekly address, President Obama urged Congress to act on the payroll tax cut before the Christmas recess and accused Republicans of trying to raise taxes on working Americans during the holiday season.

Reflecting on Friday’s jobs report, which showed the unemployment rate had dropped to 8.6 percent in November, the president said “we need to keep this growth going and strengthen it” by acting on his proposals to boost the economy and create jobs.

“Now is the time to step on the gas, not slam on the brakes. Unfortunately, too many Republicans in Congress don’t seem to share that same sense of urgency,” he said.

The president explained that middle-class families would see their taxes go up by $1,000 if the payroll tax cut is not extended and urged Americans to let their members of Congress know where they stand on the issue.

“Tell them not to vote to raise taxes on working Americans during the holidays. Tell them to put country before party. Put money back in the pockets of working Americans. Pass these tax cuts,” he said. “We’re going to keep pushing Congress to make this happen. They shouldn’t go home for the holidays until they get this done.”