AFP/Washington


President Barack Obama makes a statement to urge Congress to pass an extension of a federal highway bill in the Rose Garden of the White House yesterday
US President Barack Obama yesterday sharpened his attack on Republicans in Congress, warning against “gamesmanship” that he said could delay transportation bills on which millions of jobs may depend.
Obama cranked up his rhetorical campaign on jobs and the economy a week before unveiling a major economic package which may represent his last genuine chance to impact the sluggish recovery before the 2012 election season revs up.
“At a time when a lot of people are talking about creating jobs, it’s time to stop the political gamesmanship that can actually costs us hundreds of thousands of jobs,” Obama said, prompting Republican complaints of “scare tactics.”
Obama warned that if Congress did not extend a transportation bill due to expire at the end of September, thousands of jobs could be at risk in highway and bridge repair and mass transit projects.
He warned 4,000 workers could be furloughed and over a million jobs could be at risk over the course of the year.
“It’s inexcusable to put more jobs at risk in an industry that’s already been one of the hardest hit over the last decade. Just because of politics in Washington.”
Republicans, however, accused Obama of mounting a political sideshow over the transportation bill, arguing that no one had suggested that funding would be allowed to expire.
“Aside from the president, no one has suggested the highway bill will be allowed to expire,” said Brendan Buck, a spokesman for House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner.
“These types of scare tactics are irresponsible, transparently political, and needlessly add uncertainty to our economy.
“Republicans support an extension of the highway bill and appreciate the need for a long-term solution for infrastructure projects.”
Republican House members back a six-year highways bill worth $230bn, which they say would meet America’s needs without adding to the deficit.
But they are far apart from the Senate, which is looking at two years of funding worth just over $100bn dollars.
The legislation is mired in a fierce debate over spending and deficit cutting which has snarled Obama’s domestic agenda and led to showdowns between the White House and House Republicans.
Obama also called on Congress to pass an extension of a Federal Aviation Administration funding bill, after a stop-gap measure was squeezed on a technicality this month after lawmakers left for their summer vacation.
A temporary cash crunch had forced the FAA to temporarily lay off 4,000 non-essential personnel and halt work for 70,000 workers on airport construction projects, though top officials say air safety was not at risk.
The FAA has for several years been struggling by on more than 20 temporary funding grants from the government amid a row between Democrats and Republicans over conditions for its long-term funding.
Obama, under heavy political pressure as his approval ratings are dragged down by the limp recovery, also called on Congress to join him in a “serious conversation” about repairing America’s infrastructure.
“At a time when interest rates are low and workers are unemployed, the best time to make those investments is right now, not once another levee fails or another bridge falls,” he said.
President to deliver job speech on September 7
President Obama yesterday sought a high profile and politically provocative venue to unveil new economic proposals, asking to address Congress on the same night Republican presidential candidates hold a debate. In a letter to congressional leaders, Obama, a Democrat, asked for a joint session of the House of Representatives and Senate at 8pm EDT on September 7 to lay out his plan to create jobs and boost economic growth while reducing the US deficit. There was no immediate response from House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner, whose Republicans control the chamber, to the president’s request. The House and the Democratic-controlled Senate must pass a joint resolution to provide for Congress to assemble for the address. By seeking a joint session of Congress, Obama sought a sweeping platform in his opening bid to get support from Democrats and Republicans for this proposals. But the timing of the address gives him an opportunity to upstage the other party at the same time that he is seeking its support.