    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book I)]
    [June 8, 2006]
    [Page 1104]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Meeting With Governors on the
    Line-Item Veto
    June 8, 2006

        Appreciate some of our Nation's finest Governors joining us today.
    We talked about a couple of things. The first thing I did was bring the
    Governors up to date on recent successes we've had in Iraq. I talked
    about my discussion with Prime Minister Maliki, about the fact that he's completed his cabinet. I also told
    them that I had talked to our commanders and congratulated them on
    bringing Mr. Zarqawi to justice.
        I thanked our Governors for being such strong commanders in chief. I
    hope they take a message back to their respective Guard units, how much
    our country appreciates their service, and I hope they also take the
    message back that we appreciate the service of their families.
        We also talked about fiscal discipline, how the executive branch can
    have certain tools to work with the legislative branch to make sure that
    they're--responsible spending. Every one of these Governors have got a
    line-item veto, and they've used it wisely, and they shared their
    experiences with me. And the reason they did so is because we're urging
    Congress to give this President and future Presidents the opportunity to
    be able to have what is very much similar to a line-item veto. And the
    American people expect their money to be spent wisely. The President
    needs to have a tool to be able to work with the Congress so that that
    money is spent wisely.
        I appreciate the support of both Republicans and Democrats on the
    Hill in supporting the bill that we've submitted. I urge the Congress to
    pass this type of legislation so that we can work together to get our
    deficit cut in half by 2009, but, more importantly, assure the American
    people that we're being wise about how we use their money.
        I thank you all very much. Thank you all for coming. I appreciate
    it.

    Note: The President spoke at 10:50 a.m. in the Roosevelt Room at the
    White House. In his remarks, he referred to Prime Minister Nuri al-
    Maliki of Iraq; and senior Al Qaida associate Abu Musab Al Zarqawi, who
    was killed in Baquba, Iraq, on June 7.