WASHINGTON (AP)- President Barack Obama is urging Congress to approve his proposals to reduce teacher layoffs.

In his weekly media message, Obama points to a White House report that finds tight school budgets have reduced the ranks of teachers, increased class sizes and shortened school years.

Obama says a House Republican budget would make conditions worse because it would cut further into education spending to help pay for new tax cuts for the wealthy.

For the Republicans, Missouri Rep. Vicky Hartzler criticized Democrats and the president for Congress’ failure to restore disaster programs for farmers suffering from the worst drought in 25 years.

She accused the president of playing politics with the issue and chided Senate Democrats for taking the August recess without voting on a House-Passed bill.

Democrats wanted a comprehensive, five-year farm measure.

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