US economy getting better, recovering from recession: Obama

Latest US jobs report reveals it added 209,000 new jobs in July

Citing strong job growth in the last six months, US President Barack Obama has said that the American economy is getting better and recovering faster from the recession.

"The good news is the economy clearly is getting stronger. Things are getting better. Our engines are revving a little bit louder. And the decisions that we make right now can sustain and keep that growth and momentum going," Obama told reporters at the White House.

The latest monthly job report revealed that the US economy added some 209,000 new jobs in the month of July, continuing a six-month streak.

"We are now in a six-month streak with at least 200,000 new jobs each month. That's the first time that has happened since 1997. Over the past year, we've added more jobs than any year since 2006.

"And all told, our businesses have created 9.9 million new jobs over the past 53 months. That's the longest streak of private sector job creation in our history," he said.

The economy, he said, grew at a strong pace in the spring. "Companies are investing. Consumers are spending. American manufacturing, energy, technology, autos - all are booming. Thanks to the decisions that we've made, and the grit and resilience of the American people, we've recovered faster and come farther from the recession than almost any other advanced country," said the US President.

Obama, however, accused the Republicans in the Congress for blocking measures he said would accelerate growth and development.

"Unfortunately, there are a series of steps that we could be taking to maintain momentum, and perhaps even accelerate it; there are steps that we could be taking that would result in more job growth, higher wages, higher incomes, more relief for middle-class families. And so far, at least, in Congress, we have not seen them willing or able to take those steps," he alleged.

Obama said he has been pushing for ideas like rebuilding infrastructure in ways that are sustained over many years and support millions of good jobs and help businesses compete.