Barack Obama actually said...
When Congress refuses to act, and as a result hurts our economy and puts our people at risk, then I have an obligation as president to do what I can without them. And I'm not going to stand by while a minority in the Senate puts party ideology ahead of the people that we were elected to serve. Not with so much at stake. Not at this make-or-break moment for middle class Americans. We're not going to let that happen.
Context
Obama emphasizes his responsibility to act when Congress does not, highlighting the impact on the economy and middle-class Americans.
01/03/2012