WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama, hamstrung by budget cuts and a tight debt ceiling, is preparing a September jobs package, with limited tools at his disposal, to prime the economy and crank up employment.
At a minimum, Obama's plan will call on Congress to extend current payroll tax cuts and jobless benefits, spend money on new construction projects and offer incentives to businesses to hire more workers.
The president's plan will be announced in a major speech next week.
The listless economy, which has left millions of Americans out of work and threatens the savings of millions more, is the biggest obstacle facing Obama's re-election. Making the case for his economic programmes will be central to the remaining 18 months of his term.
Obama's plan for economy
WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama, hamstrung by budget cuts and a tight debt ceiling, is preparing a September jobs package, with limited tools at his disposal, to prime the economy and crank up employment.
At a minimum, Obama's plan will call on Congress to extend current payroll tax cuts and jobless benefits, spend money on new construction projects and offer incentives to businesses to hire more workers.
The president's plan will be announced in a major speech next week.
The listless economy, which has left millions of Americans out of work and threatens the savings of millions more, is the biggest obstacle facing Obama's re-election. Making the case for his economic programmes will be central to the remaining 18 months of his term.