    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book II)]
    [November 9, 2006]
    [Pages 2067-2068]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Cabinet Meeting
    November 9, 2006

        The President. Earlier this week, the American people went to the
    polls, and they cast their ballots for a new Congress. The American
    people made their decision. I respect the results, and so does my
    Cabinet. I want to congratulate the Democrat leaders on the victory they
    achieved for their party.
        In a few minutes, Congresswoman Pelosi and
    Congressman Hoyer will be here for lunch. I'm
    looking forward to that visit. I'm also looking forward to my visit with
    Senator Reid and Senator Durbin tomorrow. We'll discuss the way forward for our country,
    and I'm going to tell him what I just told our Cabinet: It is our
    responsibility to put the elections behind us and work together on the
    great issues facing America.
        Some of these issues need to be addressed before the current
    Congress finishes its legislative session, and that means the next few
    weeks are going to be busy ones. First order of business is for Congress
    to complete the work on the Federal spending bills for this year, with
    strong fiscal discipline and without diminishing our capacity to fight
    the war on terror.
        Another important priority in the war on terror is for the Congress
    to pass the Terrorist Surveillance Act. We also need to pass the
    bipartisan energy legislation that's now before Congress. And on the
    foreign policy front, we need to complete the work on legislation that
    will allow us to cooperate with India on civilian nuclear technology and
    pass trade legislation that will enable us to recognize Vietnam as a
    member of the WTO.
        As the new Members of Congress and their leaders return to
    Washington, I've instructed my Cabinet to provide whatever briefings and
    information they need to be able to do their jobs. The American people
    expect us to rise above partisan differences, and my administration will
    do its part.
        One of the most important challenges facing our country is the war
    on terror, and Iraq is the central front in this war. Our country now
    has more than 149,000 men and women serving bravely in that country.
    Whatever party we come from, we all have a responsibility to ensure that
    these troops have the resources and support they need to prevail. I'm
    open to any idea or suggestion that will help us achieve our goals of
    defeating the terrorists and ensuring that Iraq's democratic Government
    succeeds.
        Yesterday I accepted the resignation of one of the original members
    of my Cabinet, Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
    He could not be with us today because he's at Kansas State University to
    deliver the prestigious Landon Lecture and to help dedicate the

    [[Page 2068]]

    university's military science building as the General Richard B. Myers
    Hall.
        Don has been an outstanding Secretary
    of Defense, a trusted adviser, and a loyal friend to me and his fellow
    Cabinet Secretaries. I've named a good man to succeed Don Rumsfeld,
    former CIA Director Bob Gates. Secretary
    Rumsfeld has agreed to stay until Bob is confirmed, and I'm deeply
    grateful to Don for his service to our country.
        Thank you all very much.

    Note: The President spoke at 11:28 a.m. in the Rose Garden at the White
    House. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a Spanish
    language transcript of these remarks.