WASHINGTON, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Barack Obama urged the economic stimulus plan to be put in motion as soon as possible Monday night when he made remarks at his first prime time news conference at White House.

He said the Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Plan will save or create up to 4 million jobs and that is what America needs most right now.

"When passed, this plan will ensure that Americans who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own can receive greater unemployment benefits and continue their health care coverage," he said.

He said that the plan that ultimately emerges from Congress must be big enough and bold enough to meet the size of the economic challenge the United States is face now.

More than 90 percent of the jobs created by this plan will be in the private sector, he said.

"We will also provide a 2,500 dollars tax credit to folks who are struggling to pay the cost of their college tuition, and 1,000dollars worth of badly-needed tax relief to working and middle-class families," he added.

He urge the Congress to act without delay in the coming week to resolve differences and pass this plan.

The U.S. Senate on Monday decided via a key procedural vote to put the massive economic stimulus plan to the final vote scheduled for Tuesday.

The 827-billion-dollar package ready for the final Senate vote is smaller than the original roughly 935-billion- dollar one, and similar to the 819-billion-dollar bill passed in the House last month.
关键字:英语国际新闻
生词表: