Though highly controversial, the bill passed Congress by a vote of 43 for and 25 against.

Even if the ideas cannot pass Congress, they say, the president would gain a campaign issue by pushing for them.

It takes too long to pass Congress and kick in.

"We'll need at least four to five years to put together a package that will pass Congress."

And there will be politics probably involved in whether or not it passes Congress.

But legislation failed to pass Congress in 1905 and 1907.

At least for the moment, neither approach has enough support to pass Congress.

Federal funding for universal education did not pass Congress during the 1880s.

"But there is a shadow over everything because most of it has to pass Congress," he continued.

"I am confident this legislation will pass Congress," he said.