美国总统奥巴马敦促国会议员迅速通过延长他的前任布什总统实行的减税议案。奥巴马总统星期三表示，这个计划“不完美”，但是将有助于推动美国经济以及帮助创造就业。他说，美国不能让这个8580亿美元的议案被拖延或是不能通过。
预计参议院星期三会通过这项议案。该议案还包括延长长期失业者的失业福利，并把工资税削减2%。这个议案是奥巴马总统和共和党议员之间达成的一个有争议的妥协。在获得参议院通过后，这个议案将移交到众议院。在众议院，有多位奥巴马总统自己所属民主党的议员认为，这些措施对富人过于慷慨。但是共和党人坚持认为应该延长对所有人的减税。
U.S. President Barack Obama is urging lawmakers to quickly pass a bill to extend income tax cuts that were enacted under his predecessor, George W. Bush. President Obama said Wednesday that the plan is "not perfect," but will help grow the U.S. economy and create jobs. He said the nation cannot afford to let the $858 billion measure fall victim to delay or defeat.
The Senate is expected to pass the bill Wednesday. The measure also extends jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed and imposes a 2 percent cut in payroll taxes.
The bill is a controversial compromise between President Obama and Republican lawmakers. With Senate approval, the bill would move to the House of Representatives, where many members of Mr. Obama's Democratic Party say the compromise is too generous to the wealthy. But Republicans are adamant that all cuts should be extended.
