Obama: 'I love signing bills'

President Obama sounded downright wistful Wednesday as he signed the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2014.

"I love signing bills," Obama told a bipartisan group of lawmakers gathered in the Oval Office. "I'd like doing it more often -- what do you say, guys?"

Obama spoke a day before he plans to announce immigration executive orders that are likely to trigger a major political battle with congressional Republicans

The bill Obama signed Wednesday would require federally subsidized child care providers to conduct criminal background checks on their workers.

Witnesses in the Oval Office included U.S. Sens. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa; Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn.; and Barbara Mikulski. D-Md.. Also U.S. Reps. John Kline, R-Minn., and George Miller, D-Calif.

Harkin told the president that today's new law marks the 21st bill that he and Alexander have gotten signed into law in the last two years. Harkin and Alexander are the chairman and ranking member, respectively, of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

"Well, that's because you and Lamar are some pretty productive legislators who actually have focused on getting stuff done," Obama said as he was signing away. "And we're very proud of you and we're proud of all the legislators who are here today. So congratulations, everybody."