Gov. Martin O'Malley and 15 other Democratic governors sent a letter to Congress Tuesday afternoon urging passage of President Barack Obama's jobs legislation. Senate leaders want to bring the bill the floor today.

The letter, penned by O'Malley in his capacity as the leader of the Democratic Governors Association, asks for the "swift" consideration of the Obama's bill and argues that it "draws on ideas" governors from both parties are already using in their states.

The governors argue that "a modern economy requires modern investments" and say that to create jobs, the country must "be willing to educate, innovate and rebuild."

The letter hit notes familiar to those who watched his 2010 re-election campaign, with one line in particular echoing his stump speech. "There is nothing more important for a family than a job and nothing more important for our country in these challenging times," according to the letter.

O'Malley has said that he will push his own jobs bill in Maryland, possibly as soon as next week's special session. He has also floated the possibility of accelerating all or parts of the state's capital budget during the regular session so state funded construction projects could move forward faster.

Six Democratic governors did not sign the letter, including two with elections this year: Earl R. Tomblin who just eked out a victory in West Virginia and Steven Beshear who faces Kentucky voters in November.