‘No games, no politics, no delays’ – Obama’s challenge to Congress

US PRESIDENT Barack Obama bluntly challenged Congress yesterday to act immediately on his new jobs plan, brandishing a copy of the legislation in the White House Rose Garden and demanding: “No games, no politics, no delays.”

Surrounded by police officers, firefighters, teachers, construction workers and others he said would be helped by the $447 billion package, the president said the only thing that would block its passage would be lawmakers deciding it wasn’t good politics to work with him.

“We can’t afford these same political games, not now,” Mr Obama said.

Mr Obama will travel across the country to build public support for the package he unveiled to Congress last week in attempt to jump-start the economy and turn around his worsening political fortunes as he heads toward the 2012 presidential election.

Under Mr Obama’s plan, state and local governments would receive $50bn for transportation projects, $35bn for school, police and fire department payrolls, $30bn to modernise public schools and community colleges, and $15bn to refurbish vacant and foreclosed homes or businesses.