WILLIAMSBURG -- President Barack Obama made a quick trip to Virginia last night to urge House Democrats to swiftly complete action on his economic stimulus plan.
"If we do not move swiftly," on the package "an economy that is already in crisis will be faced with catastrophe," Obama told Democrats who were attending their annual retreat at the Kingsmill resort in James City County.
"Millions more Americans will lose their jobs. Homes will be lost. Families will go without health care. Our crippling dependence on foreign oil will continue. That is the price of inaction."
Obama, making his first trip on Air Force One as president, flew into Newport News just after 6:30 p.m. and traveled by motorcade to the resort. By 9:30 he had left the resort and was headed back to the airport.
House Democrats already passed an $819 billion version of the stimulus package without any Republican votes. Senate additions have pushed the bill past $900 billion, but some senators reportedly are now seeking $100 billion in reductions.
After the Senate votes on the stimulus legislation, the House of Representatives will cast another vote on a reconciled package.
"We're going to still have to work and I am going to urge you to complete that work without delay," Obama said.
Earlier in the evening, as he left the White House to begin his trip, the president broke with tradition, according to a pool reporter.
As he boarded Marine One, the helicopter that would take him to Andrews Air Force Base, the president seemed to stun the Marine who was standing at attention by reaching out to shake his hand. The Marine shook the president's hand, then returned to his steady salute.
Aboard the plane, the president wore a new blue jacket stitched with the words Air Force One in cursive and the presidential seal on his right side and "Barack Obama" on the left side.
"I've got my spiffy jacket so I thought I'd come and show it off," he joked with reporters.
"What do you think about this spiffy ride? It's not bad."
Contact Tyler Whitley at (804) 649-6780 or twhitley@timesdispatch.com.
Contact Bill Geroux at (757) 498-2820 or bgeroux@timesdispatch.com.
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