In State of the Union Address, Obama Vows to Act Alone on the Economy
WASHINGTON
— After five years of fractious political combat, President Obama
declared independence from Congress on Tuesday as he vowed to tackle
economic disparity with a series of limited initiatives on jobs, wages
and retirement that he will enact without legislative approval.
Promising
“a year of action” as he tries to rejuvenate a presidency mired in low
approval ratings and stymied by partisan stalemates, Mr. Obama used his
annual State of the Union address to chart a new path forward relying on
his own executive authority. But the defiant “with or without Congress”
approach was more assertive than any of the individual policies he
advanced.
“I’m
eager to work with all of you,” a confident Mr. Obama told lawmakers of
both parties in the 65-minute nationally televised speech in the House
chamber. “But America does not stand still — and neither will I. So
wherever and whenever I can take steps without legislation to expand
opportunity for more American families, that’s what I’m going to do.”
Video|1:5:14
Doug Mills/The New York Times
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