President Obama calls on Congress to protect tax cuts for the middle class

Echoing Friday's challenge to Congress to reach a deal on the fiscal cliff, President Obama uses this week's radio address to call on them to protect middle class tax cuts:

But we're now at the point where, in just a couple days, the law says that every American's tax rates are going up. Every American's paycheck will get a lot smaller. And that would be the wrong thing to do for our economy. It would hurt middle-class families, and it would hurt the businesses that depend on your spending.

And Congress can prevent it from happening, if they act now.

And the president again dared House and Senate Republicans to continue their hostage taking of the economy and American paychecks:

But if an agreement isn't reached in time, then I'll urge the Senate to hold an up-or-down vote on a basic package that protects the middle class from an income tax hike, extends vital unemployment insurance for Americans looking for a job, and lays the groundwork for future progress on more economic growth and deficit reduction.

I believe such a proposal could pass both houses with bipartisan majorities ' as long as these leaders allow it to come to a vote. If they still want to vote no, and let this tax hike hit the middle class, that's their prerogative ' but they should let everyone vote. That's the way this is supposed to work.

Make a deal or have an up or down vote ... or be the Party solely responsible for a tax hike for every American.  

Complete transcript below the fold.