(CNN) -- President Barack Obama called Friday for Congress to fund proposals to expand public-private programs to build and repair modern ports, pipelines, schools and other infrastructure. At a campaign-style event in Miami, Obama said strengthening the nation's infrastructure should be a non-partisan issue because it helps American business and creates jobs for the construction industry. "We can't afford Washington politics to stand in the way of America's progress," Obama said, adding that "ultimately, Congress has to fund these projects." Obama's proposals followed up on his call in this year's State of the Union address for such public-private partnerships to strengthen infrastructure development.
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NEW: Obama says Washington politics shouldn't slow America's progress
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President Obama calls for government-private sector partnerships for infrastructure
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His proposals provide details to an idea from his State of the Union address
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NEW: Engineering group cites deficient bridges and other infrastructure needs
Citing a @placeholder tunnel project endorsed by both the city's chamber of commerce and labor unions, he said such agreement showed that politicians also should be able to sign on.