American Morning
Rep. Eric Cantor: 'There are plenty of things we can agree on'
Last night, President Obama called for bipartisan support for his jobs package in a speech to the nation, saying that the legislation will boost hiring and provide a jolt to the stalled economy. However, many Republicans are wary of the proposal, calling it a repeat of the 2009 stimulus and leaving many Americans skeptical as to what measures actually stand a chance at passing.
Although House Majority Leader Eric Cantor encouraged legislators to "find common ground" in the bill on Twitter last night, he also has reservations about many of the president's proposals.
Representative Cantor affirms his opposition to the creation of an infrastructure bank today on American Morning, telling Carol Costello that it is a "Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for roads and bridges."
He insists, however, that "there is a lot of room for commonality," particularly in relation to the president's support of the employer side of the payroll tax.
"Although we would like to see much more certainty and permanency in the proposal, it is something that we certainly would support," Cantor explains.
Can Obama's jobs plan pass in Congress? Ron Brownstein weighs in
Although the White House would prefer not to call the jobs proposal President Obama unveiled last night a "stimulus," referring to it rather as a "jolt" to the economy, some leading Republicans have already labeled the jobs package the second stimulus.
The proposal, named the "American Jobs Act," consists of a mixture of $253 billion dollars of tax cuts and $194 billion dollars of new spending. Although the president insisted that the plan includes measures that both Democrats and Republicans have supported in the past, columnists have already started to speculate as to whether or not the bill will get passed in the Republican-controlled House.
Today on American Morning, Ron Brownstein, CNN senior political analyst, weighs in on Obama's jobs proposal and when it could potentially get passed.
Labor union president wants Obama to go big and bold with his jobs plan
AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka has been a vocal critic of how President Obama has handled the unemployment situation in the country, insisting that he has not been bold enough in his plan and his vision.
Trumka traveled aboard Air Force One with the president last week to discuss jobs on Obama's way to the Detroit jobs rally.
Today on American Morning, Trumka shares his insight on job creation and tonight's speech with Carol Costello and comments on the fiery rhetoric of his fellow union leader, Teamsters President James Hoffa.
How will Obama's jobs speech influence the political gridlock on Capitol Hill?
This evening, President Obama will announce his jobs program to the nation during a special joint session of Congress.
Democratic sources have told CNN that the president will propose a three hundred billion dollar plan attached to specific legislation called "The American Jobs Act" that focuses on infrastructure spending, targeted tax cuts and aid to state and local governments.
Will this plan create new jobs and will it be enough to secure the president's re-election?
Ron Brownstein, CNN senior political analyst, and Nick Ragone, author of "Presidential Leadership," weigh in on Obama's plan and the political imperative behind the proposal on American Morning today.
WH Press Secretary: Obama's 'American Jobs Act' will be ready for Congress next week
This morning, Democratic sources tell CNN that President Obama's jobs plan, to be revealed in a speech tonight, could end up topping $400 billion dollars and include a lot of infrastructure spending and targeted tax cuts.
On American Morning today, Christine Romans asks White House Press Secretary Jay Carney about what we can expect to hear from President Obama this evening.
"It does have a name - The American Jobs Act," Carney says. "The President will announce tonight that he intends to submit legislation to Congress early next week which will contain all of his proposals, as well as a provision to pay for all of his proposals."
"Congress should act right away and get it done," Carney adds.
Carney goes on to explain the plan will have some ideas that have been discussed in the past, and some new ideas that have not been put forward before. The plan will include infrastructure spending, community assistance to rebuild schools and a variety of reforms aimed at stimulating the economy.
The speech comes during a time of continued high unemployment and stagnating national growth. Romans asked Carney about a recurrent Republican criticism – that the last time President Obama argued for spending to create jobs with the stimulus plan, it didn't work.
"There is a broad bipartisan consensus in America of the kinds of actions the President will propose," Carney responds. "What we hope to hear from Congress is a will necessary to act now."
You can watch the entire interview here.
Watch President Obama's speech live and CNN's special coverage starting at 6pm Eastern.
How can America's middle class get back on their feet?
This morning, Demos, the non-partisan public policy research organization, is set to release its new report, "The Great Unraveling: A Portrait of the Middle Class."
The report shows how the middle class is being cornered by rising costs and illustrates how economic prospects are diminishing for America's youth.
Tamara Draut, vice president of policy and program for Demos, joins Christine Romans today to discuss the organization's findings and to explain why she thinks that the Obama administration needs to develop bold, short-term measures to help the country's middle class.
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