WASHINGTON (MCT) — Citing the slow economic growth that led to Friday’s disappointing unemployment report, President Barack Obama used his weekly radio address Saturday to urge Congress to act on a package of long-stalled proposals he said would stimulate hiring.

"It’s not lost on anyone, least of all me, that this is an election year. But we’ve got responsibilities that are bigger than an election. We’ve got responsibilities to you," Obama said. "With so many people struggling to get by, now is not the time to play politics."