综合一区欧美国产,99国产麻豆免费精品,九九精品黄色录像,亚洲激情青青草,久久亚洲熟妇熟,中文字幕av在线播放,国产一区二区卡,九九久久国产精品,久久精品视频免费

WORLD> America
Obama urges Congress action on health care
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-09-10 09:36

Obama urges Congress action on health care
US President Barack Obama (C) speaks about health care reform before a joint session of the US Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington September 9, 2009. [Agencies]

WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama urged Congress to enact sweeping health care legislation Wednesday night, declaring the "time for bickering is over" and the moment has arrived to help millions who have insurance and many more without it.

His nationally televised speech to a joint session of Congress comes as Obama's popularity is falling, opposition Republicans are on the attack and his fellow Democrats are divided about what kind of plan to pursue.

Related readings:
Obama urges Congress action on health care Obama's back-to-school speech inspires some kids
Obama urges Congress action on health care Obama expands workers' retirement options
Obama urges Congress action on health care Obama hopes to regain health care momentum with speech to Congress
Obama urges Congress action on health care Obama gets conflicting tips on health care speech

Obama urges Congress action on health care Obama speech to students draws new controversy

"I am not the first president to take up this cause, but I am determined to be the last," Obama said.

Health care has become the definitive issue for Obama, just nine months after he took office amid enormous expectations at home and abroad. His success or failure may determine whether he has the political clout to press ahead on issues like climate change, arms control and the Afghanistan war. It is also likely to shape next year's congressional elections.

Obama said there is widespread agreement on about 80 percent of what must be included in legislation. Any yet, criticizing opposition Republicans without saying so, he added: "Instead of honest debate, we have seen scare tactics" and ideological warfare that offers no hope for compromise.

"Well, the time for bickering is over," he said. "The time for games has passed. Now is the season for action."

Obama spoke in favor of an option for the US government to sell insurance in competition with private industry. But he said he was open to alternatives that create choices for consumers.

The venue of Wednesday's speech underscored the importance of the issue. Besides the annual State of the Union address, presidents seldom speak to a joint session of Congress, consisting of lawmakers from both chambers.

But the speech was aimed as much at the millions of Americans watching from home, many of whom have become disillusioned with Obama's handling of health care. An Associated Press-GfK poll released hours before the address showed that disapproval of Obama's handling of health care has jumped to 52 percent, from 43 percent in July.

Obama's overall approval rating has also suffered a blow. The survey showed that 49 percent now disapprove of how he is handling his job as president, up from 42 percent who disapproved in July.

   Previous page 1 2 3 Next Page  

香河县| 临沂市| 如皋市| 南城县| 镇雄县| 南召县| 玉溪市| 屯门区| 界首市| 霍城县| 石楼县| 玉龙| 桃园市| 贡嘎县| 柞水县| 中西区| 吐鲁番市| 瑞昌市| 江陵县| 乐安县| 济南市| 尼玛县| 民权县| 和政县| 通辽市| 资源县| 紫阳县| 波密县| 应城市| 井陉县| 阳高县| 苏尼特左旗| 方城县| 共和县| 临颍县| 宝坻区| 宝山区| 景洪市| 绵竹市| 松桃| 阿荣旗|