P
Patriot Games
Guest
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,326147,00.html
Bush, Fresh Off State of the Union, Set to Sign Order Directing Fed Agencies
to Ignore Earmarks Not Voted On by Congress
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
WASHINGTON - President Bush was set to act Tuesday on his State of the
Union promise to sign an executive order directing federal agencies to
ignore any future earmarks not voted on by Congress.
Bush warned lawmakers he would flourish his veto pen if Congress does not
rein in the number of congressional earmarks - money set aside for pet
projects - that make it into law without a vote.
As many as 95 percent of earmarks are inserted after Congress has voted on
appropriations measures, and the pork is never seen by most lawmakers. Bush
called on Congress during last year's State of the Union to cut the number
of earmarks in half, but Monday night he chided lawmakers for failing to do
so.
"So this time, if you send me an appropriations bill that does not cut the
number and cost of earmarks in half, I will send it back to you with my
veto," Bush promised. "If these items are truly worth funding, the Congress
should debate them in the open and hold a public vote."
To that end, Bush was scheduled in the afternoon to sign an executive order
called "Protecting American Taxpayers From Government Spending on Wasteful
Earmarks."
The types of projects targeted would include the likes of which have been
pilloried in the recent budget-writing session, such as an insert by Alaska
Sen. Ted Stevens to provide $20 million for a "Ferry to Nowhere," or the $1
million earmark obtained by New York Sen. Hillary Clinton for a museum
dedicated to the 1969 Woodstock festival.
Earmarks grew substantially in number in recent years while Republicans were
in charge of Congress, and draw criticism because they often are inserted
quietly into bills near the end of consideration, and often are approved
unnoticed. Because they have been used by some lawmakers to curry favor with
political donors, some lawmakers have begun to declare which earmarks they
seek.
In his seventh and final State of the Union address, Bush also advised
Congress to trust the American people and urged both houses to take quick
action to prevent a recession. He also declared his intentions to continue
ongoing operations in Iraq.
He acknowledged a slowing economy but said a $150 billion tax rebate and
business investment deal reached by the White House and House leaders would
prevent a downturn.
"In the long run, Americans can be confident about our economic growth. But
in the short run, we can all see that growth is slowing," he said,
acknowledging hikes in food and gas prices. "At kitchen tables across our
country, there is concern about our economic future."
The House was set Tuesday to take up a stimulus package and likely will pass
it as a "suspension" bill, suggesting it has overwhelming support. Though
the White House and House leadership agreed on details of the plan, some
senators say they want to add elements such as boosts to unemployment
benefits and food stamps.
"The temptation will be to load up the bill. That would delay it or derail
it, and neither option is acceptable. This is a good agreement that will
keep our economy growing and our people working. And this Congress must pass
it as soon as possible," Bush said.
The president spoke in programmatic terms in his last planned address to
Congress but frequently repeated the refrain to trust in the American
people, saying "the miracle of America is that our greatness lies not in our
government but in the spirit and determination of our people."
"So long as we continue to trust the people, our nation will prosper, our
liberty will be secure, and the state of our union will remain strong. So
tonight, with confidence in freedom's power and trust in the people, let us
set forth to do their business," he said.
But trust in the president is low, according to polls, and Kansas Gov.
Kathleen Sebelius, who offered the Democratic response, suggested Bush
should latch onto the ideas of the Democratic-led Congress instead.
"We are Americans sharing a belief in something greater than ourselves, a
nation coming together to meet challenges and find solutions; to share
sacrifices and share prosperity; and focus, once again, not only on the
individual good but on the common good," Sebelius said.
"On behalf of the new American majority - the majority of elected officials
at the national, state and local level, and the majority of Americans, we
ask you, Mr. President, to join us. We are ready to work together, to be the
America we have been- and can be once again."
In his blueprint for his final year in office, the president said that the
collective wisdom of ordinary citizens should be the government's guide. And
in a tone suggesting familiarity with Congress' historically low approval
ratings, he suggested that Congress make it easier for Americans to help
lift up the country by passing several economic and policy initiatives,
including a permanent repeal of key tax cuts passed in 2001 and 2003 and set
to expire in 2011.
"Some in Washington argue that letting tax relief expire is not a tax
increase. Try explaining that to 116 million American taxpayers who would
see their taxes rise by an average of $1,800," the president said to
laughter from Republicans and silence from Democrats. "Others have said they
would personally be happy to pay higher taxes. I welcome their enthusiasm,
and I am pleased to report that the IRS accepts both checks and money
orders."
Bush's presidency has been marked by job growth for 52 straight months, an
increase in wages and exports. But a decline in the housing market is
straining many Americans facing ballooning mortgage payments and little
increase in home equity.
Earlier in the day, the Commerce Department reported that sales of new homes
dropped 26.4 percent in 2007 and the median price of a new home edged up by
only 0.2 percent, the lowest rise since the 1991 housing slump.
Bush, whose administration late last year helped broker a deal with mortgage
lenders, has been looking for ways to stop an economic meltdown.
Among his proposals, he repeated his call for lawmakers to pass legislation
to reform quasi-public lenders Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, to modernize the
Federal Housing Administration and to allow state housing agencies to issue
tax-free bonds to help homeowners refinance their mortgages.
The Federal Reserve, which already has slashed a key interest rate
three-quarters of a percent, was expected Wednesday to cut rates once again
in an attempt to jumpstart the slumping housing market.
The president also announced his desire to eliminate or trim 151 programs
the White House calls "wasteful or bloated," creating a savings of roughly
$18 billion.
Bush said with that savings, the 2009 budget he plans to send to Congress
next week will keep America on track for a surplus in 2012.
"American families have to balance their budgets, and so should their
government," he said to applause from both sides of the aisle.
Improving Quality of Life Through Innovation
The president suggested that to make quality health care more affordable,
government must trust patients and doctors to make medical decisions and
give them better options through expanding consumer choice.
He said he has proposed giving tax breaks to those who do not get health
insurance through their employers and wants to expand health savings
accounts, create Association Health Plans for small businesses, promote
health information technology and stop "the epidemic of junk medical
lawsuits."
On education, Bush praised Congress for passing the No Child Left Behind
Act, his landmark education initiative that passed with a bipartisan vote
six years ago. He asked Congress to expand the bill to increase
accountability, add flexibility for states and districts, reduce the number
of high school dropouts and provide extra help for struggling schools.
He said he wants to convene a White House summit aimed at strengthening
opportunities for low-income students to receive good educations and
proposed $300 million for children in struggling inner-city schools.
If approved by Congress, the "Pell Grants for Kids," named after the popular
college grant program, would give money to families of poorer children so
they could attend private or better public schools.
In addition, he promoted the American Competitiveness Initiative, which
passed Congress but was never funded, calling it an opportunity to keep
America on the cutting edge of science and technology by expanding the
number of math and science instructors in schools as well as educational
grants for research.
Bush also suggested trusting "in the creative genius of American researchers
and entrepreneurs" and empowering them to develop the next generation of
clean energy technology.
Bush noted that Congress started in the right direction when it passed an
energy bill late last year that aims to reduce oil consumption over the next
decade but said it still needs to pass a plan to fund technologies for clean
coal, renewable fuels and emissions-free nuclear power.
He suggested helping pollution-prone developing nations such as India and
China make greater use of clean energy sources through international
agreements and said the U.S. is committed to strengthening energy security
and confronting global climate change.
"The best way to meet these goals is for America to continue leading the way
toward the development of cleaner and more efficient technology," he said.
Another area where science has had a breakthrough is the discovery of a way
to reprogram adult skin cells to act like embryonic stem cells. Bush said he
is expanding funding for that type of "ethical" medical research, which "has
the potential to move us beyond the divisive debates of the past by
extending the frontiers of medicine without the destruction of human life."
Maintaining a Strong Presence Abroad
While the president conceded that domestic priorities including Social
Security and immigration were unlikely to be achieved this year, he did
revisit foreign policy issues that have dominated his two terms in office
and which the administration hopes will result in a legacy known for its
"freedom agenda."
"In the last seven years, we have witnessed stirring moments in the history
of liberty," Bush said. "And these images of liberty have inspired us. In
the past seven years, we have also seen images that have sobered us . [and]
serve as a grim reminder: The advance of liberty is opposed by terrorists
and extremists - evil men who despise freedom, despise America and aim to
subject millions to their violent rule."
Bush said the surge in Iraq he ordered a year ago on the advice of his top
commanders enabled the Iraqi people to stop worrying "that America was
preparing to abandon them" and instead see neighborhoods cleared of
terrorists.
"While the enemy is still dangerous and more work remains, the American and
Iraqi surges have achieved results few of us could have imagined just one
year ago," he said, adding that though his opponents will continue to deny
that the surge in Iraq is working, "among the terrorists there is no doubt -
Al Qaeda is on the run in Iraq, and this enemy will be defeated."
After a burst of bipartisan applause, Bush said that because of the
progress, the administration is implementing a policy of "return on
success," and the surge forces will continue to come home - eliciting a
standing ovation from Republican lawmakers while virtually all Democrats sat
silent.
Already, some of the 20,000 U.S. troops on their way home have arrived,
including one Army brigade combat team and one Marine Expeditionary Unit.
They will not be replaced in the field.
"In the coming months, four additional brigades and two Marine battalions
will follow suit," he said.
But after achieving so much success in Iraq, Bush said it would be foolish
to ignore the recommendations of Gen. David Petraeus, the top commander
there, who has warned that too fast a drawdown could result in lost ground.
"Members of Congress: Having come so far and achieved so much, we must not
allow this to happen," he said, once again drawing a burst of applause from
the Republican side of the aisle.
The president said the coming year will be used "to sustain and build on the
gains we made in 2007, while transitioning to the next phase of our
strategy. American troops are shifting from leading operations to partnering
with Iraqi forces and, eventually, to a protective overwatch mission."
He also stressed that the Iraqi government is taking responsibility for that
country's future.
"The national government is sharing oil revenues with the provinces. The
parliament recently passed both a pension law and de-Ba'athification reform.
Now they are debating a provincial powers law. The Iraqis still have a
distance to travel. But after decades of dictatorship and the pain of
sectarian violence, reconciliation is taking place," he said.
Bush said that the "difficult work" must be done now so that "years from now
people will look back and say that this generation rose to the moment,
prevailed in a tough fight and left behind a more hopeful region and a safer
America."
In the Democratic response, Sebelius suggested that Iraq was not worth the
price.
"The last five years have cost us dearly in lives lost; in thousands of
wounded warriors whose futures may never be the same; in challenges not met
here at home because our resources were committed elsewhere. America's
foreign policy has left us with fewer allies and more enemies," she said.
As the troops begin to come home, Bush pledged to the service men and women
that they will continue to have what they need to protect the United States
and to return to civilian life.
Bush said funding for veterans has increased by 95 percent over the last
seven years, but the system still can be improved to help wounded warriors.
He called on Congress to enact reforms proposed by a veterans' care
commission led by former Republican Sen. Bob Dole and former Clinton Health
and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala.
"Our military families serve our nation, they inspire our nation and tonight
our nation honors them," he said, calling for expanded access to child care
for military children, new hiring preferences in the federal government for
military spouses and the ability of troops to transfer their unused
education benefits to spouses and children.
Elsewhere, the president pressed Congress to pass trade agreements with
South Korea, Panama and Colombia, arguing that it is America's duty to "show
our neighbors in the region that democracy leads to a better life," a line
that raised Republicans from their seats but left Democrats cold.
Bush said that other priorities also exist: achieving peace in the Mideast,
stopping genocide in Sudan and getting Iran to give up its nuclear pursuits
and destructive tendencies.
"Wherever freedom advances in the Middle East, it seems the Iranian regime
is there to oppose it. Iran is funding and training militia groups in Iraq,
supporting Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon, and backing Hamas' efforts to
undermine peace in the Holy Land. Tehran is also developing ballistic
missiles of increasing range and continues to develop its capability to
enrich uranium, which could be used to create a nuclear weapon," he said.
"Verifiably suspend your nuclear enrichment, so negotiations can begin," he
told the Islamic regime. "And to rejoin the community of nations, come clean
about your nuclear intentions and past actions, stop your oppression at home
and cease your support for terror abroad. But above all, know this: America
will confront those who threaten our troops; we will stand by our allies,
and we will defend our vital interests in the Persian Gulf."
Bush said America is leading the fight against global poverty, hunger and
disease by delivering food aid, investing in countries that have
demonstrated an effort to pursue capitalist programs and sending medicine
and educational information to reduce the number of malaria- and
AIDS-related deaths.
He said, "We can bring healing and hope to many more. So I ask you to
maintain the principles that have changed behavior and made this program a
success. And I call on you to double our initial commitment to fighting
HIV/AIDS by approving an additional $30 billion over the next five years."
Bush, Fresh Off State of the Union, Set to Sign Order Directing Fed Agencies
to Ignore Earmarks Not Voted On by Congress
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
WASHINGTON - President Bush was set to act Tuesday on his State of the
Union promise to sign an executive order directing federal agencies to
ignore any future earmarks not voted on by Congress.
Bush warned lawmakers he would flourish his veto pen if Congress does not
rein in the number of congressional earmarks - money set aside for pet
projects - that make it into law without a vote.
As many as 95 percent of earmarks are inserted after Congress has voted on
appropriations measures, and the pork is never seen by most lawmakers. Bush
called on Congress during last year's State of the Union to cut the number
of earmarks in half, but Monday night he chided lawmakers for failing to do
so.
"So this time, if you send me an appropriations bill that does not cut the
number and cost of earmarks in half, I will send it back to you with my
veto," Bush promised. "If these items are truly worth funding, the Congress
should debate them in the open and hold a public vote."
To that end, Bush was scheduled in the afternoon to sign an executive order
called "Protecting American Taxpayers From Government Spending on Wasteful
Earmarks."
The types of projects targeted would include the likes of which have been
pilloried in the recent budget-writing session, such as an insert by Alaska
Sen. Ted Stevens to provide $20 million for a "Ferry to Nowhere," or the $1
million earmark obtained by New York Sen. Hillary Clinton for a museum
dedicated to the 1969 Woodstock festival.
Earmarks grew substantially in number in recent years while Republicans were
in charge of Congress, and draw criticism because they often are inserted
quietly into bills near the end of consideration, and often are approved
unnoticed. Because they have been used by some lawmakers to curry favor with
political donors, some lawmakers have begun to declare which earmarks they
seek.
In his seventh and final State of the Union address, Bush also advised
Congress to trust the American people and urged both houses to take quick
action to prevent a recession. He also declared his intentions to continue
ongoing operations in Iraq.
He acknowledged a slowing economy but said a $150 billion tax rebate and
business investment deal reached by the White House and House leaders would
prevent a downturn.
"In the long run, Americans can be confident about our economic growth. But
in the short run, we can all see that growth is slowing," he said,
acknowledging hikes in food and gas prices. "At kitchen tables across our
country, there is concern about our economic future."
The House was set Tuesday to take up a stimulus package and likely will pass
it as a "suspension" bill, suggesting it has overwhelming support. Though
the White House and House leadership agreed on details of the plan, some
senators say they want to add elements such as boosts to unemployment
benefits and food stamps.
"The temptation will be to load up the bill. That would delay it or derail
it, and neither option is acceptable. This is a good agreement that will
keep our economy growing and our people working. And this Congress must pass
it as soon as possible," Bush said.
The president spoke in programmatic terms in his last planned address to
Congress but frequently repeated the refrain to trust in the American
people, saying "the miracle of America is that our greatness lies not in our
government but in the spirit and determination of our people."
"So long as we continue to trust the people, our nation will prosper, our
liberty will be secure, and the state of our union will remain strong. So
tonight, with confidence in freedom's power and trust in the people, let us
set forth to do their business," he said.
But trust in the president is low, according to polls, and Kansas Gov.
Kathleen Sebelius, who offered the Democratic response, suggested Bush
should latch onto the ideas of the Democratic-led Congress instead.
"We are Americans sharing a belief in something greater than ourselves, a
nation coming together to meet challenges and find solutions; to share
sacrifices and share prosperity; and focus, once again, not only on the
individual good but on the common good," Sebelius said.
"On behalf of the new American majority - the majority of elected officials
at the national, state and local level, and the majority of Americans, we
ask you, Mr. President, to join us. We are ready to work together, to be the
America we have been- and can be once again."
In his blueprint for his final year in office, the president said that the
collective wisdom of ordinary citizens should be the government's guide. And
in a tone suggesting familiarity with Congress' historically low approval
ratings, he suggested that Congress make it easier for Americans to help
lift up the country by passing several economic and policy initiatives,
including a permanent repeal of key tax cuts passed in 2001 and 2003 and set
to expire in 2011.
"Some in Washington argue that letting tax relief expire is not a tax
increase. Try explaining that to 116 million American taxpayers who would
see their taxes rise by an average of $1,800," the president said to
laughter from Republicans and silence from Democrats. "Others have said they
would personally be happy to pay higher taxes. I welcome their enthusiasm,
and I am pleased to report that the IRS accepts both checks and money
orders."
Bush's presidency has been marked by job growth for 52 straight months, an
increase in wages and exports. But a decline in the housing market is
straining many Americans facing ballooning mortgage payments and little
increase in home equity.
Earlier in the day, the Commerce Department reported that sales of new homes
dropped 26.4 percent in 2007 and the median price of a new home edged up by
only 0.2 percent, the lowest rise since the 1991 housing slump.
Bush, whose administration late last year helped broker a deal with mortgage
lenders, has been looking for ways to stop an economic meltdown.
Among his proposals, he repeated his call for lawmakers to pass legislation
to reform quasi-public lenders Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, to modernize the
Federal Housing Administration and to allow state housing agencies to issue
tax-free bonds to help homeowners refinance their mortgages.
The Federal Reserve, which already has slashed a key interest rate
three-quarters of a percent, was expected Wednesday to cut rates once again
in an attempt to jumpstart the slumping housing market.
The president also announced his desire to eliminate or trim 151 programs
the White House calls "wasteful or bloated," creating a savings of roughly
$18 billion.
Bush said with that savings, the 2009 budget he plans to send to Congress
next week will keep America on track for a surplus in 2012.
"American families have to balance their budgets, and so should their
government," he said to applause from both sides of the aisle.
Improving Quality of Life Through Innovation
The president suggested that to make quality health care more affordable,
government must trust patients and doctors to make medical decisions and
give them better options through expanding consumer choice.
He said he has proposed giving tax breaks to those who do not get health
insurance through their employers and wants to expand health savings
accounts, create Association Health Plans for small businesses, promote
health information technology and stop "the epidemic of junk medical
lawsuits."
On education, Bush praised Congress for passing the No Child Left Behind
Act, his landmark education initiative that passed with a bipartisan vote
six years ago. He asked Congress to expand the bill to increase
accountability, add flexibility for states and districts, reduce the number
of high school dropouts and provide extra help for struggling schools.
He said he wants to convene a White House summit aimed at strengthening
opportunities for low-income students to receive good educations and
proposed $300 million for children in struggling inner-city schools.
If approved by Congress, the "Pell Grants for Kids," named after the popular
college grant program, would give money to families of poorer children so
they could attend private or better public schools.
In addition, he promoted the American Competitiveness Initiative, which
passed Congress but was never funded, calling it an opportunity to keep
America on the cutting edge of science and technology by expanding the
number of math and science instructors in schools as well as educational
grants for research.
Bush also suggested trusting "in the creative genius of American researchers
and entrepreneurs" and empowering them to develop the next generation of
clean energy technology.
Bush noted that Congress started in the right direction when it passed an
energy bill late last year that aims to reduce oil consumption over the next
decade but said it still needs to pass a plan to fund technologies for clean
coal, renewable fuels and emissions-free nuclear power.
He suggested helping pollution-prone developing nations such as India and
China make greater use of clean energy sources through international
agreements and said the U.S. is committed to strengthening energy security
and confronting global climate change.
"The best way to meet these goals is for America to continue leading the way
toward the development of cleaner and more efficient technology," he said.
Another area where science has had a breakthrough is the discovery of a way
to reprogram adult skin cells to act like embryonic stem cells. Bush said he
is expanding funding for that type of "ethical" medical research, which "has
the potential to move us beyond the divisive debates of the past by
extending the frontiers of medicine without the destruction of human life."
Maintaining a Strong Presence Abroad
While the president conceded that domestic priorities including Social
Security and immigration were unlikely to be achieved this year, he did
revisit foreign policy issues that have dominated his two terms in office
and which the administration hopes will result in a legacy known for its
"freedom agenda."
"In the last seven years, we have witnessed stirring moments in the history
of liberty," Bush said. "And these images of liberty have inspired us. In
the past seven years, we have also seen images that have sobered us . [and]
serve as a grim reminder: The advance of liberty is opposed by terrorists
and extremists - evil men who despise freedom, despise America and aim to
subject millions to their violent rule."
Bush said the surge in Iraq he ordered a year ago on the advice of his top
commanders enabled the Iraqi people to stop worrying "that America was
preparing to abandon them" and instead see neighborhoods cleared of
terrorists.
"While the enemy is still dangerous and more work remains, the American and
Iraqi surges have achieved results few of us could have imagined just one
year ago," he said, adding that though his opponents will continue to deny
that the surge in Iraq is working, "among the terrorists there is no doubt -
Al Qaeda is on the run in Iraq, and this enemy will be defeated."
After a burst of bipartisan applause, Bush said that because of the
progress, the administration is implementing a policy of "return on
success," and the surge forces will continue to come home - eliciting a
standing ovation from Republican lawmakers while virtually all Democrats sat
silent.
Already, some of the 20,000 U.S. troops on their way home have arrived,
including one Army brigade combat team and one Marine Expeditionary Unit.
They will not be replaced in the field.
"In the coming months, four additional brigades and two Marine battalions
will follow suit," he said.
But after achieving so much success in Iraq, Bush said it would be foolish
to ignore the recommendations of Gen. David Petraeus, the top commander
there, who has warned that too fast a drawdown could result in lost ground.
"Members of Congress: Having come so far and achieved so much, we must not
allow this to happen," he said, once again drawing a burst of applause from
the Republican side of the aisle.
The president said the coming year will be used "to sustain and build on the
gains we made in 2007, while transitioning to the next phase of our
strategy. American troops are shifting from leading operations to partnering
with Iraqi forces and, eventually, to a protective overwatch mission."
He also stressed that the Iraqi government is taking responsibility for that
country's future.
"The national government is sharing oil revenues with the provinces. The
parliament recently passed both a pension law and de-Ba'athification reform.
Now they are debating a provincial powers law. The Iraqis still have a
distance to travel. But after decades of dictatorship and the pain of
sectarian violence, reconciliation is taking place," he said.
Bush said that the "difficult work" must be done now so that "years from now
people will look back and say that this generation rose to the moment,
prevailed in a tough fight and left behind a more hopeful region and a safer
America."
In the Democratic response, Sebelius suggested that Iraq was not worth the
price.
"The last five years have cost us dearly in lives lost; in thousands of
wounded warriors whose futures may never be the same; in challenges not met
here at home because our resources were committed elsewhere. America's
foreign policy has left us with fewer allies and more enemies," she said.
As the troops begin to come home, Bush pledged to the service men and women
that they will continue to have what they need to protect the United States
and to return to civilian life.
Bush said funding for veterans has increased by 95 percent over the last
seven years, but the system still can be improved to help wounded warriors.
He called on Congress to enact reforms proposed by a veterans' care
commission led by former Republican Sen. Bob Dole and former Clinton Health
and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala.
"Our military families serve our nation, they inspire our nation and tonight
our nation honors them," he said, calling for expanded access to child care
for military children, new hiring preferences in the federal government for
military spouses and the ability of troops to transfer their unused
education benefits to spouses and children.
Elsewhere, the president pressed Congress to pass trade agreements with
South Korea, Panama and Colombia, arguing that it is America's duty to "show
our neighbors in the region that democracy leads to a better life," a line
that raised Republicans from their seats but left Democrats cold.
Bush said that other priorities also exist: achieving peace in the Mideast,
stopping genocide in Sudan and getting Iran to give up its nuclear pursuits
and destructive tendencies.
"Wherever freedom advances in the Middle East, it seems the Iranian regime
is there to oppose it. Iran is funding and training militia groups in Iraq,
supporting Hezbollah terrorists in Lebanon, and backing Hamas' efforts to
undermine peace in the Holy Land. Tehran is also developing ballistic
missiles of increasing range and continues to develop its capability to
enrich uranium, which could be used to create a nuclear weapon," he said.
"Verifiably suspend your nuclear enrichment, so negotiations can begin," he
told the Islamic regime. "And to rejoin the community of nations, come clean
about your nuclear intentions and past actions, stop your oppression at home
and cease your support for terror abroad. But above all, know this: America
will confront those who threaten our troops; we will stand by our allies,
and we will defend our vital interests in the Persian Gulf."
Bush said America is leading the fight against global poverty, hunger and
disease by delivering food aid, investing in countries that have
demonstrated an effort to pursue capitalist programs and sending medicine
and educational information to reduce the number of malaria- and
AIDS-related deaths.
He said, "We can bring healing and hope to many more. So I ask you to
maintain the principles that have changed behavior and made this program a
success. And I call on you to double our initial commitment to fighting
HIV/AIDS by approving an additional $30 billion over the next five years."