Obama's Chief of Staff Wants to Hear GOP Proposals

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama's chief of staff is urging Republicans to step up and offer their own on ideas on how to overhaul health care and energy policy.

Rahm Emanuel says he's hopeful that Congress this year will pass major legislation on those big issues. But he says Republicans in the Democratic-controlled Congress have to stop being what he calls ''the party of no,'' ''the party of never'' and ''the party of no new ideas.''

Emanuel says that's not constructive and the GOP needs to offer its own ideas on how to overhaul health care and chart a new course on energy policy.

He says the challenge will come when Republicans come to the table with what he calls constructive ideas.

Emanuel spoke on ABC's ''This Week.''