President Barack Obama is appealing to the public anew to pressure Congress to stop undermining his health care law through measures that would threaten a government shutdown or a default on the government’s debts.

In his Saturday radio and Internet address Obama makes it clear he would not accede to Republican efforts to defund the 2010 Affordable Care Act. Obama says, quote, “That’s not happening. And they know it’s not happening.”

The House on Friday passed a stopgap spending bill through mid-December that cuts off money for the health care law. Later in the month, Congress must raise the nation’s debt limit to avoid a first-ever default.

The Republican address was delivered by Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval. He calls for economic growth through leadership and bipartisan negotiation in Washington.

(AP)