Hi,everybody.Seven years after the worst economic crisis in generations,our economy continues to grow and create jobs.In fact,our businesses have created 13 million new jobs over the past five and a half years.
大家好!我们此生遭遇的最严重的经济危机已经过去七年了,现在我国经济持续增长,就业增加。总体而言,我国企业在过去的五年半时间里共创造1300万个就业岗位。
But if we want to keep this momentum going-to make sure that working families feel like their hard work is being rewarded with a basic sense of security-then we all need to do our part.
但如果我们想要继续保持这一发展势头,我们都需要做好自己的工作。要确保工薪家庭感受到,他们辛勤的付出可以换回基本的保障和安全感。
That's why my Administration has been partnering with states and cities to help grow the middle class.Over the past few years,nearly 20 cities and counties have implemented paid sick days.Six states have enacted paid sick days or paid family leave.Seventeen states,and more than two dozen cities and counties,have raised their minimum wage.All of this will help working families.And across the country,folks are proving that preparing all our kids for the future doesn't have to be a partisan issue.Seattle,a city with a Democratic mayor,just passed universal pre-k,while Indianapolis,a city with a Republican mayor,is starting citywide preschool scholarships.All told,34 states have increased funding for preschool.And that's good for all of us.
正是基于这一点,本届政府一直与各州、各市政府合作,帮助中产阶级成长。在过去的几年里,有将近20个市郡实施了带薪病假制度。6个州实施了带薪病假或带薪探亲假制度。有17个州以及24个市郡提高了当地的最低工资标准。这些都将为工薪家庭带来帮助。纵观全国各地,人们正在不断证明,让我们的孩子们为未来做好准备并不是什么党派之争的问题。由民主党人担任市长的西雅图市刚刚通过全面的幼儿早教计划;而由共和党员担任市长的印第安纳波利斯市,则正在全市实施学前教育奖学金制度。全国而言,有34个州增加了在学前教育上的资金投入。这些对我们来说都是好消息。
Now,we need Congress to do its part to boost the economy,as well.Unfortunately,Congress left town for five full weeks-and they left behind a stack of unfinished business.For the first time ever,Congress failed to reauthorize the Export-import Bank.That left thousands of business owners and their employees at a serious disadvantage compared to their competitors overseas.That's not good for jobs. It's not good for our economy.When it returns from recess,reauthorizing the bank ought to be a top agenda for members of Congress.
现在,我们需要国会也做好他们自身的工作,提振经济。不幸的是,国会休假整整5个星期,留下一大堆没有完成的工作。国会首次未能完成对进出口银行的重新授权。这让成千上万的企业主以及他们的雇员们在面对海外竞争者的时候处于极为不利的位置。这对于增长就业而言有害而无益。对经济发展也是有害而无益的。等他们休假回来之后,对该银行的重新授权必须作为国会所有议员们最重要的头等大事。
Congress also hasn't passed a budget-and when they return from vacation,they'll only have a few weeks to do so,or shut down the government for the second time in two years.They've had all year to do this.Months ago,I put forward a detailed plan to strengthen our economy and our national security in a fiscally responsible way.And for months,I've said I will veto any budget that locks in the sequester—those senseless cuts to domestic and national security priorities.Remember,we can't cut our way to prosperity.We should be investing in things that help our economy grow today and tomorrow,like education or infrastructure or scientific research.
此外,国会也未能通过预算法案,等他们休假回来之后,就只剩短短几周时间来完成此事,否则,政府将发生两年内第二次关门事件。他们本来是有时间把这件事做好的。几个月前,我提出了一份详细的预算方案,通过合理的财政资金使用方式巩固经济发展,增强民众安全感。几个月来,我也说过我将否决任何锁定自动减赤计划的预算方案,这种对国内和国防安全重要支出的削减毫无意义。请记住,我们不能砍断我们通向繁荣的道路。我们应该继续在能够帮助我们实现当前和未来繁荣的领域进行投资,比如说教育、基础设施建设以及科学研究等领域。
Democrats in Congress have made it clear they're ready to sit down and work with Republicans to find common ground on this.After all,Americans expect Congress to help keep our country strong and growing-not threaten to shut down our government.When Congress gets back,they should prevent a shutdown,pass a responsible budget,and prove that this is a country that looks forward-a country that invests in our future,and keeps our economy growing for all Americans.
国会的民主党人已经明确表示,他们已经准备好坐下来与共和党人合作,在这一点上寻找共同的基础。无论如何,美国人民都希望国会能够保持我们的经济持续稳健增长,而不是威胁着要让政府关门。等国会放假回来,他们应该避免政府关门,通过一份合理的预算方案,向世人证明,这个国家是面向未来的,这个国家关注并投资于我们的未来,保持经济不断发展,为所有美国人民服务。
Thanks,everybody and have a great weekend.
谢谢大家。祝大家周末愉快!