    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
    [May 31, 2008]
    [Pages 737-739]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    The President's Radio Address
    May 31, 2008

        Good morning. Next week, Congress will return to Washington after
    its Memorial Day recess. I hope Members of Congress return rested,
    because they have a lot of work left on important issues and limited
    time to get it done.
        Congress needs to pass a responsible war funding bill that puts the
    needs of our troops first, without loading it up with unrelated domestic
    spending. Our troops in Afghanistan are performing with courage and
    honor, delivering blows to the Taliban and Al Qaida. Our troops in Iraq
    have driven Al Qaida and other extremists from sanctuaries they once
    held across the country and are chasing them from their last remaining
    strongholds. Our men and women in uniform are risking their lives every
    day, and they deserve the resources and flexibility they need to
    complete their mission.
        Congress needs to support our military families by passing an
    expansion of the GI bill that makes it easier for our troops to

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    transfer unused education benefits to their spouses and children. It is
    critical for this legislation to support the All-Volunteer Force and
    help us recruit and retain the best military in the world.
        Congress needs to ensure that our intelligence professionals have
    the tools to monitor terrorist communications quickly and effectively.
    Last year, Congress passed temporary legislation that provided these
    tools. Unfortunately, the law expired more than 3 months ago. Congress
    needs to pass long-term legislation that will help our intelligence
    professionals learn our enemies' plans before they can attack and put an
    end to abusive lawsuits filed against companies believed to have
    assisted the Government after the attacks of September the 11th. And
    Congress needs to act soon so we can maintain a vital flow of
    intelligence.
        Congress needs to approve the Colombia free trade agreement so we
    can open a growing market for American goods, services, and crops.
    Unfortunately, the House of Representatives is blocking a vote on this
    vital agreement. Unless this agreement is brought up for a vote, it will
    die. This will hurt American workers, farmers, and businessowners, and
    it will hurt our Nation's strategic interests in a vital region of the
    world.
        Congress needs to confirm the good men and women who have been
    nominated to important Government positions. There are now more than 350
    nominations pending before the Senate. These include highly qualified
    people I have nominated to fill vacancies on the Federal bench. And they
    include talented nominees who are needed to help guide our economy
    during a time of uncertainty. For example, three nominees to the Federal Reserve have been waiting for confirmation for
    more than a year. And because of Senate inaction, the Council of
    Economic Advisers is now down to a single member. This confirmation backlog makes it harder for Government
    to meet its responsibilities, and the United States Senate needs to give
    every nominee an up-or-down vote as soon as possible.
        One nominee who needs to be confirmed right away is Steve
    Preston. A month has passed since I
    nominated Steve to be the next Secretary of Housing and Urban
    Development. Unfortunately, Senators have stalled this nomination over
    an issue that has nothing to do with Steve or his qualifications for the
    job. With all the turbulence in the housing market, this is no time to
    play politics with such a critical appointment. So I call on the Senate
    to give Steve Preston a prompt vote and confirm this good man without
    further delay.
        At a time when many Americans are concerned about keeping their
    homes, Congress needs to pass legislation to modernize the Federal
    Housing Administration, reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to ensure they
    focus on their housing mission, and allow State housing agencies to
    issue tax-free bonds to refinance subprime loans.
        And at a time when Americans are concerned about rising gas prices,
    Congress needs to pass legislation to expand domestic energy production.
        In all these areas, Congress has failed to act. The American people
    deserve better from their elected leaders. Congress needs to show the
    American people that Republicans and Democrats can compete for votes and
    cooperate for results at the same time. You sent your representatives to
    Washington to do the people's business. And you have a right to expect
    them to do it, even in an election year.
        Thank you for listening.

    Note: The address was recorded at 11 a.m. on May 30 in the Cabinet Room
    at the White House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on May 31. The transcript
    was made available by the Office of the Press Secretary on May 30, but
    was embargoed for release until the broadcast. The Office of the Press
    Secretary also released a Spanish language transcript of this address.

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