Obama calls on Congress to pass jobs bills

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama wants Congress to act on bills he says will accelerate the economy. He says the country has responsibilities that are "bigger than an election."

In his weekly radio and Internet address, Obama says Congress could pass legislation to help states prevent more layoffs, put construction workers on the job and help small-business owners hire workers.

His remarks follow the latest jobs report showing only 69,000 jobs were added in May. Unemployment increased to 8.2 percent.

Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas says Democrats are promoting "gimmicks" and unless Congress and Obama act, Americans will deal with a tax increase of nearly $500 billion. He says the tax increase could push the United States back into recession.