Obama challenges Congress to vote on jobs bill

Obama, a Democrat facing a tough re-election battle in November 2012, sent bills for trade pacts with South Korea, Colombia and Panama to a seemingly receptive Congress on Monday but the mood in Washington has otherwise been fractious as his jobs package comes apart at the seams.

Republicans say the proposal — a mix of stimulus spending and tax cuts for workers and small businesses plus an end to some tax breaks for corporations and the rich — will never pass as a whole but that certain parts are worth considering.

On the Texas leg of his “pass this bill” tour, Obama chided Eric Cantor, Republican leader in the House of Representatives, for saying he would not allow a vote on the measure. The White House said the plan could save or create about 400,000 education jobs, including 39,500 in Texas.

“I'd like Mr. Cantor to come down here to Dallas and explain what exactly in this jobs bill does he not believe in,” Obama said at a college after speaking at fundraising events in the city.

“And if you won't do that, at least put this jobs bill up for a vote so that the entire country knows exactly where members of Congress stand. Put your cards on the table.”

Cantor's office fired back, asking whether Obama would promise not to veto Republican job plans in their entirety.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, testing the resolve of Democrats on the floor of the chamber, called for an immediate vote on the jobs bill as Obama visited Texas.

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