President Barack Obama won’t wait for Congress to take action on his agenda, vowing in Tuesday’s State of the Union address to use executive powers to sidestep Republican roadblocks on Capitol Hill.
President Barack Obama says he will not wait for Congress to move forward on important issues and is prepared to take executive action in 2014.
“America does not stand still — and neither will I,” Obama said. “So wherever and whenever I can take steps without legislation to expand opportunity for more American families, that’s what I’m going to do.”
Despite the congressional logjam, Obama declared, “I believe this can be a breakthrough year for America.”
“What I offer tonight is a set of concrete, practical proposals to speed up growth, strengthen the middle class, and build new ladders of opportunity into the middle class,” he said. “Some require congressional action, and I’m eager to work with all of you.”
He added, “In the coming months, let’s see where else we can make progress together. Let’s make this a year of action. That’s what most Americans want.”
Still, his vow to go it alone where he sees fit stems from his experience over the last year, when recalcitrant members of Congress — particularly Republicans in the House — refused to even consider much of the president’s agenda.
Obama outlined a litany of executive actions he intends to take in the coming months to advance the themes of opportunity he focused on in his speech. Among them:
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via EURWeb
