"I mean, what's the problem?" Obama said yesterday at a Texas rally to boost the economy and reduce unemployment for everyone from teachers to construction workers. "Do they not have the time? They just had a week off! I -- is it inconvenient?"

Obama focused on Cantor, a Virginia Republican, as he promoted the package of tax cuts and spending at a community college in the Dallas suburb of Mesquite. Cantor and other Republicans have been critical of spending portions of the package, and the majority leader said yesterday the House would consider pieces of the proposal.

Obama said that on Oct. 3 Cantor said he "won't even let this jobs bill have a vote in the House of Representatives."

The president challenged Cantor to identify what parts of the bill he doesn't "believe in," wondering whether it was building roads and bridges, aid for veterans or more teachers in schools.

"And if you won't do that, at least put this jobs bill up for a vote, so that the entire country knows exactly where members of Congress stand," Obama said. "Put your cards on the table."