Obama Pushes Payroll Tax Cut Extension

(NewsCore) - President Barack Obama on Saturday called on Americans to pressure their representatives into passing the payroll tax cut extension, warning that 160 million people would face a tax hike if Congress refuses to act.

Obama used his weekly address to push for a "commonsense" measure he said would "keep stoking the fires of the recovery" from the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression.

The President said public pressure helped to grease the wheels in December amid a similar standoff over the payroll tax cut extension.

"Ultimately, thanks to your voices, they did the right thing. But only after a great deal of bickering and political posturing that put the strength of our economy and the security of middle class families at risk," Obama said. "We can't go through that again."

Obama urged Congress to "stop this middle class tax hike from happening. Period. No drama. No delay. And no ideological side issues that have nothing to do with this tax cut. Now is not the time for self-inflicted wounds to our recovery."

He added,"Tell [your representatives] not to play politics again by linking this debate to unrelated issues. Tell them not to manufacture another needless standoff or crisis."

Governor Bob McDonnell (R-Va.), delivering the Republican response, focused on the impending annual release of the President's budget, which he predicted "will not be a proactive budget built to promote fiscal responsibility and future prosperity."

"Rather it appears we'll see a bloated budget that doubles down on the failed policies of the past," he said.

McDonnell said the policies in Washington contrasted sharply with the "commonsense, responsible, conservative approach to governing in the growing number of state capitals with Republican leadership."