Story highlights Republicans criticize tax initiatives

Obama to unveil new tax proposals during Tuesday's State of the Union

New plan would offer middle-class credits; wring more from rich

Plan needs approval from Republican-controlled Congress

Washington (CNN) In his upcoming State of the Union speech, President Barack Obama will call on Congress to simplify a tax code he deems overly complicated and weighted toward wealthy Americans, administration officials said Saturday.

The moves -- likely to meet resistance from Republicans in Congress -- are meant to pay for the long slate of new programs the President began laying out two weeks ago designed to bolster the middle class, including offering two free years of community college to qualified students.

Obama's aides have been seeking ways to expand a robust economic recovery beyond top earners, who have been buoyed by record closes on Wall Street. Despite reams of positive economic news, most Americans still say economic conditions in the country are only fair.

And, if they see improvement, they aren't crediting the White House.

"The middle class has yet to experience the prosperity shown in the recovery, and what you'll see Tuesday night is the vision for finishing that job," a senior administration official said.

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