He said the "right to move" was just an idea at the moment but he would pass a law bringing it into effect if the other measures did not succeed in increasing the mobility of tenants.
These things didn't seem to be very likely three years ago, but if they came to pass they could (as they did) have a devastating effect on the industry.
If Congress can't finish a full budget by March 1, when the sequester is scheduled to take effect, President Obama called on lawmakers to at least pass a smaller package of spending cuts and tax reforms that would delay the the economically damaging effects of the automatic cuts.
Put money into the failed market necessary to fully stabilize it and pass legislation that returns the market to the operating rules and laws in effect prior to changes that led to problems.
If automatic changes that represent the fiscal cliff go into effect January 1st, Congress can address the fiscal cliff early next year and pass retroactive legislation.