Obama says economy can grow as deficit shrinks

WASHINGTON -President Obama says the U.S. doesn't have to choose between growing the economy and shrinking the deficit.

In his weekly radio and Internet address, Obama said no American who works full time should live in poverty. He asked Americans to support his proposals to raise the minimum wage, pass comprehensive immigration reform and incentivize companies to create jobs in the U.S.

He said education, job training and benefits for the elderly shouldn't be sacrificed even as the government seeks spending cuts to reduce its future debt.

In the Republican address, Rep. Martha Roby of Alabama said Congress must protect the military from devastating cuts by averting the automatic spending cuts set to hit on March 1.

She said Obama and Democrats want to use the so-called sequester to raise taxes.

Online

Obama address: www.whitehouse.gov

GOP address: www.youtube.com/HouseConference