    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2001, Book II)]
    [December 19, 2001]
    [Pages 1527-1528]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Prior to a Meeting With Congressional Leaders
    December 19, 2001

    Economic Stimulus Package

        I am proud to report that members of both political parties and both
    bodies of Congress have come to an agreement as to how to stimulate our
    economy and how to take care of people in need, people who have lost
    their job.
        I'm proud of the Members around this table for making the conscious
    decision to work together to answer some serious needs that face our
    country. A lot of people have lost their jobs and don't have health
    care, and the people around this table said, ``I want to do something
    about it,'' and they proposed a very constructive, real plan.
        A lot of people around this table understand that in the long term
    we've got to make sure our economy grows. And so we've provided stimulus
    to the economy, most of which affects middle-class America. The income
    tax rate reduction affects those making $27,000 to $65,000 a year, hard-
    working Americans who could use help coming into the holiday season.
        I can't thank the chairman, the Speaker, the leaders around this table for recognizing that
    there's something more important than politics, and that's to do our
    jobs, to recognize we have a serious problem and address it and solve
    the problem.
        This bill can pass both bodies. This bill will pass the House; it's
    got enough votes to pass the Senate. And therefore, I look forward to
    working with both bodies in any way I can to convince those who are
    reluctant to get a bill done that this makes sense for America, so we
    can leave for Christmas knowing full-well that we've done the people's
    business.
        Again, congratulations to you all. I want to thank you for your
    work, thank you for your care for America. Thank you all.

    Note: The President spoke at 9:40 a.m. in the Speaker's office at the
    Capitol. A tape

    [[Page 1528]]

    was not available for verification of the content of these remarks. The
    Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish language
    transcript of these remarks.