WASHINGTON, Feb. 11 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama Saturday urged Congress to prevent a tax increase on 160 million middle-class Americans by passing the payroll tax cut extension.
"In recent weeks, we've seen signs that our economy is growing stronger and creating jobs at a faster clip. While numbers and figures will go up and down in the coming months, what cannot waver is our resolve to do everything in our power to keep stoking the fires of the recovery," Obama said in his weekly radio and Internet address.
"At the end of the month, taxes are set to go up on 160 million working Americans. If you're one of them, then you know better than anyone that the last thing you need right now is a tax hike. But if Congress refuses to act, middle class taxes will go up. It's that simple."
Obama said failing to pass the extension would be a "self-inflicted wound on the recovery" and it must be passed by Democrats and Republicans "without drama or delay."
"If this sounds familiar, it's because we've been here before. Back in December, Congress faced this exact same predicament. Ultimately, thanks to your voices, they did the right thing -- but only after a great deal of bickering and political posturing that put the strength of our economy and the security of middle class families at risk. We can't go through that again."
Obama said "ideological side issues" should not be part of the debate, and passing the extension is "common sense."
He urged Americans to contact their representatives and tell them "not to play politics again by linking this debate to unrelated issues."
"Tell them not to manufacture another needless standoff or crisis. Tell them not to stand in the way of the recovery. Tell them to just do their job. That's what our middle class needs. That's what our country needs.
"In the wake of the worst economic crisis of our lifetimes, we're getting things going again. And we're going to keep at it until everyone shares in America's comeback," he said.