Weekly Address: Economy, Government Abuse [VIDEO]

President Barack Obama says Washington's top priority must be to reverse trends like economic inequality, weakened middle-class security and global competition while Republicans talk about government abuse in their respective weekly internet and radio addresses.

The President says Washington has lost focus on the economy. Obama is pressing economic ideas he's been promoting in an ongoing series of speeches. He wants better access to education, home ownership, health care and secure retirement.

He says that he'll listen to good ideas from either party but that Republicans are threatening to take the nation in the wrong direction.

In the Republican address, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Virginia says Republicans will focus this week on government abuse, such as intrusive regulations and red tape that he says threaten Americans' paychecks and civil liberties.

"Many in Washington have forgotten the most important principle – that the federal government works for you – and not the other way around," said Cantor. "Each week, House Republicans are working to fix this problem. This week, we will address government abuse that is threatening your hard-earned paycheck, as well as your sacred liberties."

Cantor outlined proposals that would prevent "senior government officials" from collecting paychecks if they are under investigation, stopping "lavish" conferences and retreats, and approving the REINS Act which would require Congress to first approve every new major rule proposed by the Executive Branch, which has an annual economic impact of $100 million or more, before it can be enforced on the American people."

The GOP also wants to bring some accountability to interactions with government.  "We will also act to require government agencies to adopt customer service standards. How a government employee interacts with you the taxpayer must be considered when it comes time to evaluate how well they do their job."

Cantor says Republicans will also work to get the IRS out of Obamacare and would continue efforts to repeal the law.

The Associated Press contributed to this report