Obama Urges Congress to Approve Higher Tax Scale for the Rich

 　　U.S. President Barack Obama says it is time the wealthiest Americans pay what he called their fair share in taxes.

　　During his weekly address Saturday, Obama urged Congress to vote in favor of the so-called "Buffet¹ Rule" in a few weeks.

　　The plan, named for billionaire investor² Warren Buffet, would increase taxes on people earning at least $1 million.  Buffet has said it is not fair he pays a lower tax rate than his secretary.

　　The president says funding the tax breaks for the wealthy is not fair when middle class families are struggling to pay for necessities.

　　In the Republican address, House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner complained the Obama administration is not doing enough to increase oil and gas production on federal lands.  He called for a freeze in new regulations on refineries³.

　　Boehner also continued a Republican theme of blaming the administration for high gasoline prices.

1 buffet   

n.自助餐；饮食柜台；餐台

参考例句：

• Are you having a sit-down meal or a buffet at the wedding?你想在婚礼中摆桌宴还是搞自助餐？
• Could you tell me what specialties you have for the buffet?你能告诉我你们的自助餐有什么特色菜吗？

2 investor   

n.投资者，投资人

参考例句：

• My nephew is a cautious investor.我侄子是个小心谨慎的投资者。
• The investor believes that his investment will pay off handsomely soon.这个投资者相信他的投资不久会有相当大的收益。

3 refineries   

精炼厂( refinery的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The efforts on closedown and suspension of small sugar refineries, small saccharin refineries and small paper mills are also being carried out in steps. 关停小糖厂、小糖精厂、小造纸厂的工作也已逐步展开。
• Hence the sitting of refineries is at a distance from population centres. 所以，炼油厂的厂址总在远离人口集中的地方。