Washington (CNN) -- President Barack Obama revitalized his push for holding down middle-class tax rates Monday, calling on Congress to pass a one-year extension of the Bush-era tax cuts for people earning less than $250,000 a year. In a White House statement delivered while people described as working Americans stood behind him, Obama said his proposal would provide the certainty of no tax increase next year for 98% of Americans. Noting that Republicans seek to maintain all of the Bush tax cuts enacted in 2001 and 2003, Obama said both sides therefore agree on extending the lower rates for middle-class families.
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NEW: The House and Senate will vote on differing proposals on the Bush tax cuts
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President Obama says extend lower tax rates only for the middle class, not the wealthy
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Republicans says the tax cuts should extended for everyone
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The tax cuts are set to expire at the end of the year
An @placeholder campaign official said his re-election team will "amplify the president's message on middle-class tax cuts" by hosting a series of events this week in battleground states.