    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book I)]
    [June 20, 2007]
    [Pages 778-779]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks Following a Meeting With the House Republican Conference and an
    Exchange With Reporters
    June 20, 2007

        The President. I want to thank Congressmen Boehner, Blunt, and the other leaders of the
    House of Representatives for coming today. We just had a discussion
    about how we will work together to make sure that when we spend the
    taxpayers' money, we do so in a way that is fiscally sound and keeps our
    economy growing. I have submitted a budget to the Congress that sets
    priorities; no greater priority, by the way, than defending this
    homeland against attack. It's a budget that keeps taxes low so the
    economy continues to grow. And it's a budget that will balance--be in
    balance in 5 years.
        Now, there's an alternative budget that has been presented in the
    Congress by the Democrats, which will increase spending by a significant
    amount, in our view, and will require tax raises in order to meet that
    spending. We don't think that's right for the country. We don't think
    that's a good way to keep the economy strong. And we think we ought to
    be trusting taxpayers with their own money, so they can make choices
    with their money.
        And so, to this end, the Members of Congress delivered me a letter--
    147 signatures on it--that said they will support me on any veto of a
    bill that is--exceeds the spending limits that we collectively think is
    necessary for the good of the country.
        And I want to thank the Members for coming. I assured them that I'm
    going to work with them to represent the taxpayers and the working
    people of the United States, represent the small-business owners that
    are working hard to realize their dreams and increase their payrolls.
    And we will be effective by working together.

    [[Page 779]]

        And I thank these leaders for coming down and spending time with us
    to talk about this important strategy. Of course, we talk all the time
    because we've got a common goal, which is to keep the economy strong and
    the Nation safe. And I appreciate you working with us to achieve that
    objective.
        Thank you. Thank you.

    Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg of New York
    City

        Q. What do you think about Bloomberg?
        The President. That's a fine news organization, but who do you
    work--no. [Laughter]

    Note: The President spoke at 3:24 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House. A portion of these remarks could not be verified because the tape
    was incomplete.