    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2001, Book II)]
    [October 11, 2001]
    [Pages 1217-1218]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Cabinet Meeting
    October 11, 2001

        I have asked my Cabinet to come in and give me a briefing on the
    progress that we're making on the war on terrorism. I can report to the
    American people we're making substantial progress.
        First, our Secretary of State and our
    diplomats around the world have put together a broad coalition of
    nations to make a stand against terrorists, terrorism, and those who
    harbor terrorists. And I'm really pleased. This coalition includes not
    only our friends in Europe and South America, but as we saw at the OIC
    conference, the Organization of Islamic Conferences, many Muslim nations
    have taken a very firm stand against terrorist activities, as well.
        Obviously, the Secretary of Defense
    and the Defense Department has been busy. As I said today, America is
    very proud of the men and women who wear the uniform; they're proud of
    your leadership too, sir. We'll leave the military briefing for the
    Pentagon.
        I had a good visit with our Secretary of Treasury, who informed me that we've now frozen $40 million worth of
    assets--Taliban and Al Qaida assets all around the world, and we've just
    begun. We want the terrorists to know that we're after them

    [[Page 1218]]

    in all kinds of ways, and one good way to make them ineffective is to
    cut off their money.
        The Attorney General has reported that
    here at the homeland--in the homeland we've interrogated over 600 people
    that may have been involved with the bombings, as well as spending a
    great deal of time analyzing information that could lead to the
    disruption of any potential attack on America.
        And then we discussed our legislative priorities before the Congress
    goes home. One of those, of course, is an economic stimulus package that
    must include tax relief that has got a positive effect on the economy in
    the short run.
        But there are two other aspects to a good, strong economic stimulus
    package, one of which is trade promotion authority. And the other is an
    energy bill. Now, there was a good energy bill passed out of the House
    of Representatives. And the reason it passed is because members of both
    parties understand an energy bill is not only good for jobs, it's
    important for our national security to have a good energy policy.
        And I urge the Senate to listen to the will of the Senators and move
    a bill--move a bill that will help Americans find work and also make it
    easier for all of us around this table to protect the security of the
    country. The less dependent we are on foreign sources of crude oil, the
    more secure we are at home.
        We've spent a lot of time talking about homeland security. An
    integral piece of homeland security is energy independence. And I ask
    the Senate to respond to the call to get an energy bill moving.
        We have got a lot of work to do, and everybody around this table
    understands that. We're a patient group of people; we're a disciplined
    group of people. But one thing we've got in mind as well is, we've got
    the best interests of the American people in mind. And I'm proud of the
    job everybody is doing here. I want to thank you on behalf of America
    for your hard work.
        I will see you all tonight.

    Note: The President spoke at 3:02 p.m. in the Cabinet Room at the White
    House.