Obama urges Congress to pass budget plan

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Source: CCTV.com | 03-18-2009 10:51

US President Barack Obama is urging Congress to pass his 3.6-trillion US dollar budget plan, defending it as the economic blueprint of the country's future.

US President Barack Obama speaks during the Recovery Act Implementation Conference in the Eisenhower  Executive Office Building next to the White House in Washington,DC.(AFP/Mandel Ngan)

Meanwhile, Obama's determination to restrict insurance giant AIG from handing out huge bonuses to its executives is gaining the support of law-makers.

Obama strongly defended the budget plan in an appearance with the heads of the congressional budget committees on Tuesday.

He said the 3.6-trillion US dollar budget plan aims to revive the economy, while reforming the country's healthcare, energy and education systems.

Obama responded sharply to criticism from some congress leaders that he's taking on too many issues at once, and that solving the banking crisis should be the current top priority.

Barack Obama, US President, said, "The American people don't have the luxury of just focusing on Wall Street. They don't have the luxury of choosing to pay either their mortgage or their medical bills. They don't get to pick between paying for their kids' college tuition and saving enough money for retirement. They have to do all these things. They have to confront all these problems. And as a consequence, so do we."