Obama hopeful for more economic progress in 2012

Reflecting on a challenging year, President Barack Obama says he's hoping for more economic progress following action by Congress to prevent tax increases at the start of 2012.                

"It was good to see members of Congress do the right thing for millions of working Americans," said Obama, using his weekly radio and Internet address Saturday to deliver a New Year's message.            

He said the public made itself heard on a Social Security payroll tax cut and that was one big reason that lawmakers agreed to extend it for two more months.              

The American people, Obama said, "had the courage to believe your voices could make a difference."              

The president said he expects Congress to finish the job when lawmakers return to Washington in January and extend the tax cut through the end of the year.            

Reflecting on 2011, Obama said it was a time of great challenge and progress, including the end of the war in Iraq, the death of Osama bin Laden and signs of an economic recovery.          

"There's no doubt that 2012 will bring even more change," Obama said. "And as we head into the new year, I'm hopeful that we have what it takes to face that change and come out even stronger  to grow our economy, create more jobs and strengthen the middle class."              

On the eve of an election year, Obama said the months ahead will help determine "what kind of country we want to be and what kind of world we want our children and grandchildren to grow up in."       

AP