Obama: Both Parties Together Can Boost Job Growth

09 February 2010

President Barack Obama meets with bipartisan House and Senate leaders in the Cabinet Room of the White House, 9 Feb. 2010

U.S. President Barack Obama is urging Democrats and Republicans in Congress to work together on efforts to create jobs. The president hosted a meeting with top lawmakers from both parties at the White House Tuesday.

President Obama says Republicans and Democrats can cooperate to strengthen the economy, even though they disagree on many issues.

"I think it's fair to say that the American people are frustrated with the lack of progress on some key issues," he said. "And although the parties are not going to agree on every single item, there should be some areas where we can agree."

Minority Republicans have blocked Democratic initiatives on health care and other domestic issues.

With the U.S. unemployment rate at 9.7 percent, the president said he hopes Congress will soon approve incentives for small businesses to add workers.

"A good place to start, and what I hope to spend a lot of time on in these discussions today, is how we can move forward on a jobs package," President Obama said.

Mr. Obama also said he hoped for an agreement on ways to reduce the U.S. debt and budget deficit, which are at record highs.

He met with House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the top House Republican, Minority Leader John Boehner, as well as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and other lawmakers.