Obama Calls for End to Political Gridlock

 　　U.S. President Barack Obama has called on members of Congress to end gridlock and pass rules that would stem the influence of money in politics.

　　In his weekly Saturday address, Obama said he has been the target of obstructionism by members of Congress over his nominees¹ to judgeships and public service positions. He said the American people deserve better than "gridlock and games," and he called on Congress to pass a rule mandating² an up-or-down vote on all nominees within 90 days.

　　Obama also called for legislation that bans elected officials from owning stock in industries they impact. He said it should also ban people who obtain campaign contributions for Congress from lobbying members of Congress.

　　The president said it is time for leaders in Washington to "start tackling the issues that really matter," such as mending the economy.

　　In the Republican address, Senator Marco Rubio said there is a growing gap between the rich and poor, and he blamed the situation on the president.

　　He said President Obama is practicing divisive politics with a message that the only way for some people to climb the economic ladder is for others to be pulled down. He said the best way to improve the economy is to embrace the American free enterprise system.

1 nominees   

n.被提名者，被任命者( nominee的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• She's one of the nominees. 她是被提名者之一。 来自超越目标英语 第2册
• A startling number of his nominees for senior positions have imploded. 他所提名的高级官员被否决的数目令人震惊。 来自互联网

2 mandating   

托管（mandate的现在分词形式）

参考例句：

• Current requirements mandating that committees keep minutes are too general. 目前对委员会要保持详细记录的指令性要求，还是太过一般化了。
• Mandating that workers who quit without permission forfeit a month's wages. 规定工人私自离岗将受到罚没一个月工资的处罚。