Barack Obama urges bipartisanship after Arizona shootings

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama urged Americans on Saturday to maintain the "spirit of common cause" that arose from grieving over the Arizona shootings and use it to solve the nation's problems.

Legislative work in Washington came to a halt this week while lawmakers and citizens from both parties mourned the victims of a gunman who went on a rampage in Arizona on Jan. 8, killing six people and wounding 14, including Representative Gabrielle Giffords.

Obama gave a well-received speech at a memorial service for the victims on Wednesday in Arizona and he revived the theme of national unity in his weekly radio and internet address.

The president lauded lawmakers who came together to pay tribute to Giffords and the other victims earlier in the week.

"As shrill and discordant as our politics can be at times, it was a moment that reminded us of who we really are -- and how much we depend on one another," Obama said.

"While we can't escape our grief for those we've lost, we carry on now, mindful of those truths."

Obama said the country had to carry on out of necessity and work to create jobs, improve the economy, "shore up" the budget and bring down the deficit.

"These are challenges I believe we can meet. And I believe we can do it in a way worthy of those who sent us here to serve," Obama said.

"So as business resumes, I look forward to working together in that same spirit of common cause with members of Congress from both parties -- because before we are Democrats or Republicans, we are Americans."

Republicans control the House of Representatives and have greater strength in the Senate this year after making big gains in November congressional elections.

House Republicans' postponed for a week their effort to repeal Obama's signature healthcare law while Congress mourned the shooting victims. The House is expected to resume action next week and vote on a a repeal, which is expected to stall in t! he Senat e.

In the weekly Republican address, Representative Jeff Flake of Arizona urged lawmakers not to let the attacks discourage them from doing their jobs.

Giffords was meeting with constituents outside a supermarket when the gunman opened fire.

"While we may not agree on everything, members of Congress are bound together by a sacred oath to support and defend the Constitution," Flake said.

"And so it is our duty to uphold our oath, to listen and to represent. We will not let this inhumane act cow us into doing otherwise."