President Obama will call on Congress to extend benefits for jobless Americans during an appearance in the Rose Garden on Monday morning, a White House official said.

The president is expected to have strong words for Republicans, who he will say have previously supported unemployment extensions under Republican presidents but refuse to offer relief to middle class families today, the official said.

On Saturday, during his weekly radio and internet address, Obama blasted Republicans for blocking efforts to extend the time unemployed Americans can receive government benefits.

“Some Republican leaders actually treat this unemployment insurance as if it’s a form of welfare,” he said. “They say it discourages folks from looking for work. Well, I’ve met a lot of folks looking for work these past few years, and I can tell you, I haven’t met any Americans who would rather have an unemployment check than a meaningful job that lets you provide for your family.”

Before last month, out-of-work Americans were eligible for extensions once they maxed out at 26 weeks of state benefits.

Depending on the state, people could qualify for up to 73 weeks of federal benefits — a total of 99 weeks. But, citing deficit concerns, Senate Republicans blocked the extension with a 57-14 vote before the July Fourth holiday.

Obama also criticized Republicans for what he says is obstruction of policies that would aide small businesses and boost the economy.

“Too often, the Republican leadership in the United States Senate chooses to filibuster our recovery and obstruct our progress. And that has very real consequences,” Obama said Saturday.

“A lot of small businesses still have trouble getting the loans and capital they need to keep their doors open and hire new workers. So we proposed steps to get them that help: Eliminating capital gains taxes on investments. Establishing a fund for small lenders to help small businesses. Enhancing successful SBA programs that help them access the capital they need,” he said.

(Source: CNN)