WASHINGTON (February 9, 2013)--President Barack Obama urged Congress Saturday to pass a smaller set of spending cuts and tax changes while they hash out a broader budget deal.

Lawmakers face a March 1 deadline when automatic across-the-board spending cuts, already postponed once, take effect.

In his weekly radio and Internet address, Mr. Obama said he still wants a comprehensive package that deals with the debt, but he said that takes time.

He asked lawmakers to move forward with a short-term deal as they continue working on a longer-term solution, saying that if the cuts aren't averted, the military, middle-class families and the economy could suffer.

In the Republican address, U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said the U.S. must ramp up domestic energy production by streamlining regulations, investing in research and approving the Keystone XL pipeline.