WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama says the economy is weaker now than at the beginning of the year, and that’s all the more reason that Congress should pass his jobs bill.

At a White House news conference today, Obama took an aggressive tone, saying if Republicans aren’t backing his plan, they should explain why. He predicted that voters would “run them out of town” if Congress fails to do something to bolster the economy.

Republicans have opposed both tax increases in Obama’s proposal and its stimulus spending.