Obamas Urge Nation to Pray for Troops

 U.S. President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle on Saturday wished Americans a Merry Christmas and thanked the U.S. troops and their families for their service.

In his weekly address, the president was joined by the first lady in asking Americans to "say a prayer for all our troops."

The first family arrived in Honolulu early Saturday.

The Obamas traditionally spend their Christmas holiday in Hawaii where the president was born and raised.

White House officials say there are no public events on his Hawaiian schedule. 

The president says he will return to Washington after Christmas to try to broker¹ a deal that will prevent tax increases and the expiration² of long-term unemployment benefits.

In the Republican weekly address, House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner urged Democrats³ to work with Republicans in Congress on spending cuts and tax reforms.

1 broker   

n.中间人，经纪人；v.作为中间人来安排

参考例句：

• He baited the broker by promises of higher commissions.他答应给更高的佣金来引诱那位经纪人。
• I'm a real estate broker.我是不动产经纪人。

2 expiration   

n.终结，期满，呼气，呼出物

参考例句：

• Can I have your credit card number followed by the expiration date?能告诉我你的信用卡号码和它的到期日吗?
• This contract shall be terminated on the expiration date.劳动合同期满，即行终止。

3 democrats   

n.民主主义者，民主人士( democrat的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The Democrats held a pep rally on Capitol Hill yesterday. 民主党昨天在国会山召开了竞选誓师大会。
• The democrats organize a filibuster in the senate. 民主党党员组织了阻挠议事。 来自《简明英汉词典》