He says the heart of the message is that middle class Americans need some more help -- ranging from a higher federal minimum wage -- to changing tax laws that would discourage outsourcing.

"The eocnomy is gradually improving, but we're not seeing enough.  The yachts are getting lifted, but the smaller boats, they're leaking and even getting swamped."

Merkley says we also need to extend jobless benefits.

In the meantime, some Republcians are criticizing the Preisdnet's threat to use his executive order powers if he can't get congress to go along with his ideas.