Obama pushes Congress to help states hire teachers

WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama wants Congress to help states rehire teachers and act on a key part of last year's jobs bill. He says the last thing the U.S. needs is to have fewer teachers in our schools.

Obama says in his radio and Internet address Saturday that many states have been squeezed by the economic recession and have been forced to lay off teachers - about 250,000 across the nation.

Obama says Congress needs to act on part of last year's jobs bill that would prevent more layoffs and rehire more teachers who lost their jobs.

Republicans say Obama's policies stand in the way of a stronger economy. Minnesota congressman Erik Paulsen says House Republicans will push plans to boost domestic energy production and stop tax increases on small businesses.