On the day of President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address, House Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, left, with House Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Va., talks with reporters at Republican National Committee headquarters in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2014, after a GOP strategy session. Eager not to be limited by the legislative gridlock that has plagued the divided Congress, Obama is expected to underscore a go-it-alone strategy where he could bypass lawmakers and use executive actions to achieve his policy proposals. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
January 28, 2014 - 3:37 PM
WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama is urging Congress to act to restore economic opportunity but warning he'll act on his own wherever he can.
Obama on Tuesday night will deliver his annual State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress.
In excerpts released by the White House in advance, Obama says the belief in opportunity has suffered serious blows. He's pointing to joblessness, deeper inequality and stalled economic mobility.
Obama says what unites the nation is the belief that if you work hard and take responsibility, you can get ahead.
He's urging Congress to take up his proposals to encourage growth and build the middle class. But he says he'll take action without Congress, too.
News from © The Associated Press, 2014