    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
    [June 20, 2008]
    [Page 858]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on Congressional Action on the Legislative Agenda
    June 20, 2008

        Good morning. This week, Congress moved forward on two important
    issues affecting the national security of our country.
        Yesterday the House passed a responsible war funding bill that will
    provide vital resources to our men and women on the frontlines in the
    war on terror. This legislation gives our troops the funds they need to
    prevail without tying the hands of our commanders in the field or
    imposing artificial timetables for withdrawal.
        The bill also supports our military families by passing an expansion
    of the GI bill that makes it easier for our troops to transfer unused
    education benefits to their spouses and their children. I want to thank
    the Members of Congress for their action on this legislation, and I urge
    the Senate to pass it as soon as possible.
        Members of the House and Senate also reached a bipartisan agreement
    yesterday on legislation to allow our intelligence professionals to
    quickly and effectively monitor the plans of terrorists abroad, while
    protecting the liberties of Americans here at home.
        My Director of National Intelligence and the Attorney General tells me that this is a good bill. It will help our
    intelligence professionals learn our enemies' plans for new attacks. It
    ensures that those companies whose assistance is necessary to protect
    the country will themselves be protected from liability for past or
    future cooperation with the Government.
        The enemy who attacked us on September the 11th is determined to
    strike this country again. It's vital that our intelligence community
    has the ability to learn who the terrorists are talking to, what they're
    saying, and what they are planning.
        I encourage the House of Representatives to pass this bill today,
    and I ask the Senate to take it up quickly so our intelligence
    professionals can better protect Americans from harm.
        I'm pleased with the bipartisan cooperation on both these bills, and
    I thank the Members for their efforts.
        Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 9:11 a.m. from the Oval Office Patio at the
    White House. In his remarks, he referred to Attorney General Michael B.
    Mukasey.