"I am frustrated. We are not moving quickly enough to deal with the source of chronic unemployment," said Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, D-Missouri. Many Republicans feel the same way.

The gridlock is the product of several struggles: Disputes over the best policy to create jobs. Concerns about increasing the already huge federal deficit. The lack of bipartisan cooperation. Tension between Democrats in the Senate and those in the House of Representatives. A reluctance even among Democrats to consider a big new stimulus package only a year after approving one that cost $862 billion.

Since Congress began its 2010 session, leaders of both parties have said that job growth is their top priority, but so far, they’ve done nothing significant to address it.

Initially, there was hope for quick action. Unemployment had reached 10 percent last fall, and the House passed a $154 billion jobs package in December that included highway projects and aid to states.