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                   Obama to Promote State of the Union Goals

   U.S. President Barack Obama is using a two-day, four-state tour to
   promote the goals he laid out Tuesday night in his State of the Union
   address, highlighted by a pledge to advance his economic agenda, even
   without Congressional support.
   Mr. Obama`s trip begins Wednesday in suburban Washington, 15 kilometers
   from the U.S. Capitol where he called for lawmakers to work with him to
   reform the tax code, create jobs, raise the minimum wage, improve
   education opportunities and fund innovation. He noted the country`s
   economic progress, but said that given recent legislative gridlock he
   is ready to act without Congress to help the middle class and speed
   growth.
   "But America doesn`t stand still and neither will I. So whenever and
   wherever I can take steps without legislation to expand opportunity for
   more American families, that`s what I am going to do."
   On a key foreign policy issue, the president noted an international
   agreement on Iran`s nuclear program, saying diplomacy backed by
   pressure has reversed parts of the program for the first time in a
   decade. He emphasized he did not want lawmakers to put forth new
   sanctions that could derail the process.
   "But let me be clear: if this Congress sends me a new sanctions bill
   now that threatens to derail these talks, I will veto it. For the sake
   of our national security, we must give diplomacy a chance to succeed. "
   Mr. Obama said he will be the first to call for more sanctions if
   Iran`s leaders do not seize the opportunity.
   He also discussed the ongoing talks with the Afghan government over the
   future of U.S. troops beyond the 2014 planned withdrawal of
   international forces.
   "If the Afghan government signs a security agreement that we have
   negotiated, a small force of Americans could remain in Afghanistan with
   NATO allies to carry out two narrow missions: training and assisting
   Afghan forces, and counterterrorism operations to pursue any remnants
   of al-Qaida."
   He urged the full Congress Tuesday to approve an immigration reform
   measure that passed in the Senate last year. The bill stalled in the
   House of Representatives under intense opposition from conservatives.
   "Independent economists say immigration reform will grow our economy
   and shrink our deficits by almost $1 trillion in the next two decades.
   And for good reason: when people come here to fulfill their dreams - to
   study, to invent and contribute to our culture - they make our country
   a more attractive place for businesses to locate and create jobs for
   everyone. So let`s get immigration reform done this year."
   The president`s approval rating has dropped to less than 50 percent.
   With voters unhappy with the economy and gridlock in Congress, Mr.
   Obama is looking to make a fresh start in 2014.
   In the Republican response to Mr. Obama`s speech, U.S. Representative
   Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington blamed the administration`s
   policies for widening the gap between where people`s lives stand now
   and where they want to be.
   Problems with the execution of the president`s signature health care
   law last year sparked outrage from lawmakers and the public. But
   President Obama used his State of the Union speech to appeal to
   Republicans not to vote again to overturn it.
   He touted the health care program`s achievements, saying it gives
   people peace of mind that they do not have to lose everything if
   misfortune strikes. He said that because of the new law, no American
   can be turned down for health insurance because of a pre-existing
   condition, such as asthma or cancer. And he said a woman will no longer
   be charged more for health care just because she is a woman.
   Mr. Obama is also trying to bounce back from last year`s controversies
   over National Security Agency spying and the 16-day government shutdown
   during the budget standoff.
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References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/obama-to-promote-state-of-the-union-goals/1839912.html