Obama: 'Keep the pressure on' Congress

WASHINGTON, Sept. 15 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama said Thursday the White House intends to "keep the pressure on" Congress to pass his proposed legislation to expand employment.

Speaking to about 50 people at a fundraiser in Washington, the president repeated his contention that if Congress passes the American Jobs Act now -- "not 14 months from now, not six months from now, but now -- we can put teachers back in the classroom, we can put construction workers back to work, we can put our veterans back to work, we can make sure that young people have opportunities for summer jobs, we can start dealing with the unemployed -- and we can pay for it in a way that's responsible, and that involves everybody sharing in the burdens of what are a difficult time."

"Now, right away, the commentary (after he announced his proposal) was, well, this Congress, they are accustomed to doing nothing, and they're comfortable with doing nothing, and they keep on doing nothing," Obama said. "But I will tell you, we intend to keep the pressure on."

Recounting trips he has made to North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia since introducing his proposal, the president told his audience Thursday "folks are ready for action."

The fundraiser -- at the Georgetown home of former U.S. Ambassador to Portugal Elizabeth Frawley Bagley -- was attended by 50 people who paid $35,800 per couple to attend, with the proceeds going to the president's re-election campaign.