Obama's new theme: 'We can't wait' for lawmakers to act

Πηγή: Star Tribune
By JACKIE CALMES , New York Times

Oct 24 2011

WASHINGTON - With his jobs plan stymied in Congress by Republican opposition, President Obama on Monday will begin a series of executive-branch actions to confront housing, education and other economic problems over the coming months, heralded by a new mantra: "We can't wait" for lawmakers to act.

According to an administration official, Obama will kick off his new offensive in Las Vegas by promoting new rules for federally guaranteed mortgages so more homeowners, including those with little or no equity in their homes, can refinance and avert foreclosure.

And Wednesday in Denver, the official said, Obama will announce policy changes to ease college graduates' repayment of federal loans, seeking to alleviate the financial concerns of students considering college as states are raising tuition.

The president's announcements will bookend a three-day Western trip.

The "We can't wait" campaign is a new phase in Obama's effort to pressure Republicans to support the job-creation package he proposed after Labor Day. It comes after unanimous votes by Senate Republicans in the past week to block the plan; House Republican leaders have refused to put the measure to a vote.

Polls show overwhelming support for pieces of the $447 billion package, which includes expanded tax cuts for workers and employers and spending for state aid to keep teachers and emergency responders at work. But Republicans oppose provisions in Obama's plan that would offset the costs with higher taxes on the wealthy.

By resorting to executive actions using his wide-ranging authority, Obama seems intent on showing he is not powerless in the face of Republican opposition but is trying to strengthen the economy and help Americans in trouble.

Officials do acknowledge the coming policy changes, executive orders and agency actions are generally less far-reaching than the legislative proposals before Congress.

"The president will continue to pressure congressional Republicans to put country before party and pass the American Jobs Act," said Dan Pfeiffer, Obama's communications director. "But he believes we cannot wait, so he will act where they won't.