Obama Jobs Speech Video: Highlights From President's Address To Congress (VIDEO)

President Barack Obama outlined a new plan from his administration to boost job creation to a joint session of Congress on Thursday night.

HuffPost's Sam Stein relays details on the proposal:

Titled the American Jobs Act, the proposal includes more than $250 billion in tax incentives for small businesses and employers, according to administration estimates. The rest of the money would be devoted to infrastructure spending, state aid, unemployment insurance, and neighborhood rehabilitation. The president will pay for the proposal by asking the congressional super committee tasked with finding $1.5 trillion in deficit reduction to offset the cost of the package in their proposal.

Senior administration officials said that the White House plans to introduce the president's proposal next week as a single piece of legislation. The same administration officials did not rule out the idea that the White House would petition the congressional super committee to simply include the jobs bill in the set of recommendations that they reveal later this fall. In his speech to a joint session of Congress, however, the President repeatedly made the case that quicker action is needed.

Below, reaction to the president's speech from some members of Congress via the Associated Press. Click here for full text of Obama's remarks.

"The proposals the president outlined tonight merit consideration. We hope he gives serious consideration to our ideas as well. It's my hope that we can work together to end the uncertainty facing families and small businesses, and create a better environment for long-term economic growth and private-sector job creation." – House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio.

___

"President Barack Obama laid out a set of bipartisan ideas to create jobs whose size and scope reflects the urgent need to put Americans back to work. Most of the ideas in this bill have been supported by both Democrats and Republicans. These are common-sense solutions for getting our economy moving again and spurring hiring in the private sector. – Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.

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"The president is politically paralyzed and philosophically incapable of doing what needs to be done. The president should take immediate action." GOP presidential candidate Michele Bachmann, a Minnesota congresswoman.

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"The president's plan is a solid foundation for Congress to build on. It strategically combines tax incentives for small businesses with targeted investments in American workers, the education of our children and improving our nation's crumbling infrastructure. That said, I would have liked to have seen a greater emphasis on domestic energy production and a special focus on water and flood protection for the nation." – Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La.

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"Where we agree – like the need to pass the long pending, job creating trade agreements – we should act and act now. All we need is for the president to send Congress the agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea so the American people can begin to take advantage of the up to 250,000 jobs they will create. However, I was disappointed that the president did not discuss the one area that can truly spark sustained private-sector job creation in this country – comprehensive tax reform." _Rep. Dave Camp, R-Mich., a member of the supercommittee on debt reduction.

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"Now is the time to invest in the future of our country by creating opportunities and helping out of work Americans find jobs. Many of the president's ideas have the potential to create jobs and spark the economy." – Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va.

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"Ultimately I think the problem is there are some things in there that are good, but by and large, it's a proposal based on things that just won't work, haven't worked in the past and they won't work in the future." – Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla.

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"President Obama offered a clear path to help small businesses succeed and hire, provide tax relief for our workers, rebuild America, and provide aid to those who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own. It will put Americans back to work and it will be paid for." – House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

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"The president's plan makes a mockery of the recent debt limit deal. That agreement cut $7 billion in appropriations next year but the president now wants to borrow hundreds of billions more to finance a second stimulus package." – Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala.

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The president took an important and necessary step tonight: He started a serious national conversation about how to solve our jobs crisis. He showed working people that he is willing to go to the mat to create new jobs on a substantial scale. Tonight's speech should energize the nation to come together, work hard and get serious about jobs. – AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka.

Comments

[media4me2]

04:48 PM on 09/10/2011

The New York Times transcript has the following quote:
"We all remember Abraham Lincoln as the leader who saved our Union. Founder of the Republican Party. But in the middle of a civil war, he was also a leader who looked to the future -- a Republican President who mobilized government to build the Transcontinental Railroad -- (applause) -- launch the National Academy of Sciences, set up the first land grant colleges. (Applause.) And leaders of both parties have followed the example he set."

Hey Obie,
Abe wasn't the founder of the republican party. He joined two years after the party was founded.
Imagine if Bauchman or Palin had said it.

[Social Construct]

06:28 AM on 09/11/2011

Thanks for the history lesson. And, I agree about the I-know-you-are-but-what-am-I childishness coming from both sides. Feel better? I doubt it.

[jimdavis11]

03:31 PM on 09/10/2011

Hey Republican's take a moment and think about what you keep saying over and over again.Perhaps you will realize how foolish you sound when you say, "spending doesn't create jobs and cutting spending will." So you are trying to tell me that construction projects that repair schools, roads, and bridges don't create orders that are filled by privately owned businesses? Are you trying to tell me that construction companies don't hire workers, or purchase materials, when the government is the customer? The fact is the supply chain has no idea who will end up buying the products being supplied, they just see an increase in business as a result of orders, and it doesn't matter weather it is from public or private sources.

[DR Dedo]

04:03 PM on 09/10/2011

Tried it all with the porkulus. What's changed?

[jimdavis11]

05:11 PM on 09/10/2011

So I guess you think cutting spending is good for the economy?

[unique]

07:58 PM on 09/10/2011

When you are in a hole, digging the hole deeper is not going to help you get out.
When you are in debt, spending more money is not going to help you get out of debt.
Instead of bailing out the "Too Big to Fail," they should have been allowed to fail and that money should have been given to the American people.

[lordgamble]

04:04 PM on 09/10/2011

In correct. Money never sits idel. Banks don't put iot in a vault and let it sit. They lend it out and whoever burrows it uses it which puts people to work. When gov't takes that money out of the private sector, those jobs that would have been created by the spending of those borrowed funds , are not created. The best gov'T can hope to achieve when it takes money out of the private sector is a net job loss/gain. And we all know how efficient gov't is whenit buys $100 dollar hammers so why would you think they would be more efficient wioth the monehy in creating jobs? that's just stupid

[jimdavis11]

05:09 PM on 09/10/2011

So you are trying to tell me that construction projects contracted for by private companies do help the economy and construction projects contracted for by the government don't help the economy? Ridiculous!

[buc]

04:59 PM on 09/12/2011

lordg, and you said all this when W was in the big house...NOT!

[ABQ-Mike]

03:26 PM on 09/10/2011

Of course National Propaganda Radio, the best media coverage (government) money can buy did it's best to sanitize BHO's flubs...

http://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2011/09/pbs_alters_transcript_to_hide_obama_gaffe.html

[Marie9]

02:58 PM on 09/10/2011

I think the President gives great speeches, however he rarely backs them up with the right fruits/acts.

Not to mention his negotiating skills, which are so far below the grade, and has fail contentiously. It's just plain frightening.

Enough is enough, he needs to use the power of his position.

[media4me2]

04:49 PM on 09/10/2011

Just words, just speeches.
BHO

[kinduhshook]

09:52 PM on 09/10/2011

Marie you have to remember the President needs cooperation from the members and if the Reps have the upper hand which they do, they are not about to pass anything this President proposes because it's political posturing and it's the fact that they do not want this man as Commander-In-Chief which borders on that old American tradition known as racism !

[sunshine14]

02:12 PM on 09/10/2011

Still waiting for the jobs, now going on over 10 years from Republicans, their very own solution to creating jobs with Republicans $1 Trillion dollar Stimulus Job Creation Plan, to kick in. Still waiting for Republicans big idea plan, by giving wealthy tax cut incentives to create jobs, Republicans $1 Trillion dollars borrowed, plus interest, will now be paid for , by all middle class for generations to come. Middle Class are paying off, Republicans failed $1 Trillion dollar Stimulus Job Creation Plan for generations. What are middle class getting in return for $1 Trillion dollars they are all paying for? Nothing 0 in return, no jobs.

[lordgamble]

04:08 PM on 09/10/2011

And pray tell, who will pay for Obama increasing the annual budget by $1.26 trillion every year? Not 1 trillion over 10 year but $1.26 trillion every year? The middleclass, that's who. but liberal math never could add 2 + 2 and get 4

[kinduhshook]

09:57 PM on 09/10/2011

As if past Republican President didn't add to the to our nations debt ! Fact is, America has been in debt since the country's founding and the start of the American Revolution ! We've always borrowed and loaned !

[ichan]

12:49 AM on 09/12/2011

No I think he said we're going to get a bunch of it out of the top 20%, close loopholes and lower overall corporate taxes for small business, junk gov't programs that don't work or isn't a priority and invest in stuff that is. His thinking is correct, it's his lack of spine in the face of adversity that I have a problem with. The R solutions are not solutions they are ideologies.

[Bill Jacoby]

10:27 AM on 09/10/2011

I take it that Jeff Sessions will vote against anything the Obama administration may put out. Why do we have a senator as negative as this. When Bush was president he licked his boots. Now that we have an Afro American man as President you have a problem; and the problem is that you don't even qualify to shine his boots, much less kiss them. Also, hypocrite Rubio the cuban wonder has opined. As a member of the freshman class and a tea bagger at that, what gives him the right to tell us what works or doesn't.

[TORSTEN HUSVEDT]

01:01 PM on 09/10/2011

Jeff Sessions is a real unreconstructed racist, In dealing with him Obama oughta stand real close and touch him whenever possible.

[Agent2k3]

04:20 PM on 09/12/2011

I agree.

[lordgamble]

04:12 PM on 09/10/2011

funny how quickly the left forgets. Obama was a freshman Senator when you decided that gave Obama the right to tell us what works and so far nothing he's said or done has worked.

[snipy]

10:17 AM on 09/10/2011

"Highlights" should read, O is ousted from politics, World is once again back to normal !!!

[Bill Jacoby]

10:27 AM on 09/10/2011

chuck you farley

[unique]

08:08 PM on 09/10/2011

Mr. Jacoby,
I am shocked, you made some good points, especially following them up with
a young Senator like Marco Rubio, who is trying to make a name for himself by
being critical of President Obama.
Please allow others to state their opinion, even if your opinon differs from theirs.
Thank you.

[supra21]

01:09 PM on 09/10/2011

Ohhhh, I'm waitting for the headline that reads" GOTP Congress members arrested for treason" Any deleiberate obstruction to job growth is exactly that! Treason.

[lordgamble]

04:16 PM on 09/10/2011

Then every member of the Senate deomcrat causus is guilty of treason for not passing any of the 6 bills passed by the House this year that would create jobs. Maybe not the kind you like but you said "jobs" not what kind of jobs. So we are waiting for you to press charges againt those 53 dems in the Senate.

[snipy]

04:40 PM on 09/10/2011

"Treason" is what O has done to this country and continues to do with his commie programs and destruction to the people ! GOTP, is that Good Ol' Tea Patriots ?

[Nuttinbutdatruf]

12:08 AM on 09/10/2011

Many of the posters criticizing the President's American Jobs Act are simply doing so because they don't like him. They seem to know very little about economics. However, most economists agree that his proposal , if enacted, would strengthen the economy. It would add 1.9 million jobs and reduce the unemployment rate by one percentage point. The expanded payroll tax cut would be responsible for the most increase in hiring, adding about 750,000 jobs. The tax cut for employers would add about 300,000 jobs!
So, all the "spend, spend, spend" rhetoric is just a smokescreen. Most Republicans simply don't want the president to be successful in anything.... PERIOD!

[gsx99limited]

10:01 AM on 09/10/2011

Ok lets go with your premis, why not print/spend 10 trillion dollars for this bill using your logic there would be no unemployment and unbelievealbe growth. You can't spend your way of of this IT DOESN'T WORK.

[TORSTEN HUSVEDT]

01:03 PM on 09/10/2011

You also can't cut your way out of it, thus the problem.

[jimdavis11]

03:39 PM on 09/10/2011

How can you say that the increased orders that result from public projects does not help the economy? How can you say the people employed to do the work will not have a positive effect on the economy when they spent their money?

[supra21]

01:10 PM on 09/10/2011

As they have stated on numerous occassions.

[Agent2k3]

03:55 PM on 09/09/2011

I am fascinated by this President. Why? How on earth does the CBC or the democratic party put up with him. After seeing and hearing bad poll numbers, the CBC, all of ther bad news about the economy, he comes out 3 years later with a jobs plan. If anyone think Obama is serious about anything, you need your head examine. What happen yesterday was an exercise is desperate politics, political payback to (union bosses), and procrastination. We cnanot continue with this type of leadership style. Its unacceptable to me.

[Bill Jacoby]

10:29 AM on 09/10/2011

And the number of fans on your posting tell the story.

[mataylor16]

10:33 AM on 09/10/2011

Oh my, well if its unacceptable to you, something must be done!

[Roberto Oscuro]

01:35 PM on 09/09/2011

Please, please explain to me WHAT the president has to do with me making money? I'm serious can someone send me a link or explain HOW the President MAKES jobs? Because I make my own money. I have skills and education. People NEED my skills and education and in turn they give me money. That's a job to me (am I wrong?). This sounds like a joke. Is he saying he's going to personally hire me and millions of other people? I just made $1,000 last week from making up flyers for local businesses that needed to spruce up their advertising. Their menus were drab so I jazzed them up. What is everyone complaining about? People have money you just have to get it from them! :)

[ATLJunBug]

02:07 PM on 09/09/2011

Thank you. I have been trying to get my friends to understand this forever. Weather you are Democrat or Republican, that is how it is.

STANDING BY PRESIDENT OBAMA FOR 2012

[Tavon]

02:02 PM on 09/10/2011

You are so right. I will be fan 6

[gbert34672]

11:32 AM on 09/09/2011

More typical Obama, spend and spend! He just doesn't get it. You cannot create prosperity by becoming furhter into debt. He spent how many billions on his "stimulus" package that has been an absolute failure, yet here we go again. This guy is a half black Jimmy Carter.

[darleneslee]

12:22 PM on 09/09/2011

I missed the prosperity of Regan and I miss having decent roads and safe bridges. The American people need jobs. If we have to spend our way out until there is a better solution I'm all for it. I am one of the fortunate ones that made it through the trickle down economics, but there are millions that didn't. Why don't you give us your economic answer ?

[Osmona]

01:30 PM on 09/09/2011

Don't waste your time trying to reason with the "unreasonable". They are just doing their job, "create dissension" no matter what. For that reason, I do my best NOT to answer these trolls. But then sometimes THEY get stuck to me like gum on my shoe and its hard to get rid of.

F/F

[ATLJunBug]

02:38 PM on 09/09/2011

Thank you.

STANDING BY PRESIDENT OBAMA IN 2012

[gbert34672]

12:59 PM on 09/09/2011

Would it not be prudent to disolve the current tax system and put something into play that is not only fair but equitable? Never happen in our lifetime. DC is not geared for such rational activity. Perhaps we should stop being the world police. Bombing Libya is a current example. Also, Iraq was a major mistake. Bring our troops home and leave the worle unto it's own!

[ATLJunBug]

02:36 PM on 09/09/2011

What is the something that would be not only be fair but equitable? I am all for bringing the troops home. And I believe President Obama has laid out a plan to do that. And I agree with you, we need to stop being the World Police. We can not even get alone with each other in America, so, please tell me how can we tell other Countries how to act and get alone. DC is a joke on America right now.

STANDING BY PRESIDENT OBAMA IN 2012

[Paul Finley]

01:32 AM on 09/09/2011

President Obama’s speech is indirect a quote similar to that of the Apostle Paul to the Ephesians. As an epistle that was written when Apostle Paul was a prisoner at Rome. That design appears again in the hostility surrounding the Administration of this president. As the Apostle design appears to be to strengthen the Ephesians in the faith of Christ, the president is again appealing to a Christian Nation to have faith in GOD, our Father by strengthening our beliefs in change of direction and to give exalted views of the love of God toward those He chose to love and honor as believers. This policy can achieve such purposes, and prosper man’s dignity and excellence of Christ, fortifying a nation’s minds against the scandals of greed and corruption in higher places. As a nation, so was the Ephesians, we were all saved by grace, and that however inadequate they once were, they now had equal civil liberties with their maker as they fight for justices, righteousness and equality. As the epistle then encourages them to persevere in their Christian calling, righteous policies of this nation undertaking can also urge members of Congress to walk in a manner becoming their profession, faithfully discharging the general and common duties of peacemaking, and the special duties of a particular relations toward the building of a mighty nation under GOD for all believers.

[Life is Hard]

02:53 PM on 09/09/2011

Nice Comparsion! But do u really think these idiot footsteppers of Glen Beck, Bill Oreilly, Hannity, Rush Limbaugh and The Rest of the "SATAN" followers know anything about The Apostle Paul or GOD. LOL.

[kinduhshook]

10:10 PM on 09/10/2011

LOL !