This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-25917009

The article has changed 16 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 10 Version 11
State of the Union: Obama promises action on inequality State of the Union: Obama promises action on inequality
(about 1 hour later)
US President Barack Obama has promised to bypass a fractured Congress to tackle economic inequality in his annual State of the Union address.US President Barack Obama has promised to bypass a fractured Congress to tackle economic inequality in his annual State of the Union address.
Mr Obama pledged to "take steps without legislation" wherever possible to expand opportunities for families. He pledged to "take steps without legislation" wherever possible, announcing a rise in the minimum wage for new federal contract staff.
He unveiled an executive order to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 (£6.10) an hour for new federal contract workers. On Iran, he said he would veto any new sanctions that risked derailing talks.
The Democratic president is facing some of his lowest approval ratings since first taking office in 2009.The Democratic president is facing some of his lowest approval ratings since first taking office in 2009.
"Let's make this a year of action," Mr Obama said."Let's make this a year of action," Mr Obama said.
Noting that inequality has deepened and upward mobility stalled, he would offer "a set of concrete, practical proposals to speed up growth, strengthen the middle class, and build new ladders of opportunity into the middle class".Noting that inequality has deepened and upward mobility stalled, he would offer "a set of concrete, practical proposals to speed up growth, strengthen the middle class, and build new ladders of opportunity into the middle class".
"America does not stand still - and neither will I," he said. "So wherever and whenever I can take steps without legislation to expand opportunity for more American families.""America does not stand still - and neither will I," he said. "So wherever and whenever I can take steps without legislation to expand opportunity for more American families."
Time running outTime running out
Just over a year after his re-election, Mr Obama must contend with determined opposition from the Republican Party, which controls the House of Representatives and has the numbers in the Senate to block his agenda.Just over a year after his re-election, Mr Obama must contend with determined opposition from the Republican Party, which controls the House of Representatives and has the numbers in the Senate to block his agenda.
Time is running short before Washington DC turns its attention to the 2016 race to elect his successor, threatening to sideline him even with three years remaining in office.Time is running short before Washington DC turns its attention to the 2016 race to elect his successor, threatening to sideline him even with three years remaining in office.
During his address, Mr Obama appealed to members of Congress and business leaders to help tackle long-term unemployment. He urged Congress to restore unemployment insurance that recently expired for 1.6 million people. During his address, Mr Obama appealed to Congress to restore unemployment insurance that recently expired for 1.6 million people, and asked Republicans to stop trying to repeal his signature healthcare overhaul.
He stressed the importance of early childhood schooling, better value university education, and equal opportunities in the workplace for women. The botched rollout of the website on which Americans could sign up for healthcare has dented the president's popularity.
Mr Obama stressed the importance of early childhood schooling, better value university education, and equal opportunities in the workplace for women.
He also appealed to Congress to approve a rise in the national minimum wage, currently $7.25 per hour.He also appealed to Congress to approve a rise in the national minimum wage, currently $7.25 per hour.
His executive order raising the hourly rate of federal contract workers including cleaning staff and construction workers will only apply to future contracts. The measure was announced in advance of the address, and prompted a swift response from Republicans. His executive order raising the hourly rate of federal contract workers to $10.10 (£6.10) will only apply to future contracts. The measure was announced in advance of the address, and prompted a swift response from Republicans.
House Speaker John Boehner said the impact would be "close to zero" and warned that such a move would cost jobs. He told reporters his party would watch to ensure the president did not exceed his authority through the use of such executive actions.House Speaker John Boehner said the impact would be "close to zero" and warned that such a move would cost jobs. He told reporters his party would watch to ensure the president did not exceed his authority through the use of such executive actions.
"Sounds to me like he wants to go around the constitution," said Republican Congressman Paul Ryan, the 2012 party's vice-presidential candidate."Sounds to me like he wants to go around the constitution," said Republican Congressman Paul Ryan, the 2012 party's vice-presidential candidate.
"If you want to write a law, the elected representatives here in House and Senate, the legislative branch they write the laws. Presidents don't write laws.""If you want to write a law, the elected representatives here in House and Senate, the legislative branch they write the laws. Presidents don't write laws."
Republican rebuttalsRepublican rebuttals
The president also urged the Republican House of Representatives to support a broad overhaul of the US immigration system, saying it would "make our country a more attractive place for businesses to locate and create jobs for everyone".The president also urged the Republican House of Representatives to support a broad overhaul of the US immigration system, saying it would "make our country a more attractive place for businesses to locate and create jobs for everyone".
Last year, the Senate passed a bill that included a path to citizenship for some of the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the US.Last year, the Senate passed a bill that included a path to citizenship for some of the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the US.
The House has thus far declined to hold a vote on that legislation, although in recent days US media have reported the chamber's Republican leaders are weighing a series of more limited measures.The House has thus far declined to hold a vote on that legislation, although in recent days US media have reported the chamber's Republican leaders are weighing a series of more limited measures.
Among those joining First Lady Michelle Obama in the gallery was Jason Collins, a professional basketball player who came out as gay last year; two survivors of the Boston Marathon bombing and the fire chief of a tornado-hit Oklahoma town. On foreign policy, Mr Obama pledged to:
After Mr Obama's speech, three Republicans are expected to offer rebuttals, a departure from the tradition of the opposition choosing a single voice to follow the president. He also said that, with major US operations in Afghanistan due to end, "this needs to be the year Congress lifts the remaining restrictions on detainee transfers and we close the prison at Guantanamo Bay".
Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington state will deliver the official response on behalf of the Republican Party. Among those joining First Lady Michelle Obama in the gallery was Jason Collins, a professional basketball player who came out as gay last year, two survivors of the Boston Marathon bombing and the fire chief of a tornado-hit Oklahoma town.
After Mr Obama's speech, three Republicans are offering several rebuttals, a departure from the tradition of the opposition choosing a single voice to follow the president.
Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington state gave the official response on behalf of the Republican Party.
Republican Kentucky Senator and presumed 2016 presidential hopeful Rand Paul, a favourite of the party's libertarian wing, will release a taped address, while Utah Senator Mike Lee will offer a response on behalf of the populist, anti-tax tea party movement.Republican Kentucky Senator and presumed 2016 presidential hopeful Rand Paul, a favourite of the party's libertarian wing, will release a taped address, while Utah Senator Mike Lee will offer a response on behalf of the populist, anti-tax tea party movement.