[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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