U.S. President Barack Obama has called on Congress to take action that he says would strengthen the economy and help Americans who are struggling financially.

At a White House news conference Wednesday, Mr. Obama said the nation’s economic problems will not be solved immediately. He said Americans are still looking for work, or seeking better-paying jobs or ways to pay their bills.

He said Congress can send him a bill that would make it easier for entrepreneurs to patent a new idea, and approve trade agreements that he said would support “tens of of thousands” of American jobs. He said he wanted to continue tax cuts for the middle class, but eliminate some tax breaks for richer Americans in order to raise government revenue.