President Barack Obama, right, is escorted by Air Force Col. David Almand, the 89th Airlift Wing commander, as he walks to board Marine One upon arrival at Andrews Air Force Base.
President Barack Obama says his travels beyond the capital and his visits with selected letter writers demonstrate the need for Congress to act on his stalled economic agenda.
In his weekly radio and Internet address, Obama cited meetings this week with a college student and with owners of a Colorado sandwich shop franchise. Obama went to Colorado and Texas this week, continuing a practice of meeting with chosen pen pals whose letters catch the eye of the White House.
Obama says the economy is better off. But he says Republicans in Congress have blocked measures, such as an increase in the minimum wage, that would improve people's lives.
Republicans argue Obama's proposals would hurt business and have proposed their own measures that have also stalled in a divided Congress.