[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 30 (Monday, July 29, 2002)]
[Page 1264]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Exchange With Reporters Following a Meeting With the House Republican 
Conference

July 26, 2002

Legislative Agenda

    Q. How are you doing, Mr. President?
    Q. Would you talk for a moment, please, sir?
    Q. Mr. President, what did you tell the conference today?
    The President. You know, it's been an amazing week. A lot has gotten 
done here in the Congress, and I want to thank both the Republicans and 
Democrats. I think--I know the American people expect their elected 
Representatives to work together to get some things done, get the 
homeland security bill. We're even going to get trade promotion 
authority, which will be good for jobs and American workers. We've got a 
corporate responsibility bill. It's a good piece of legislation, 
overwhelmingly supported by both Republicans and Democrats.
    The American people saw last week that this administration and the 
Justice Department will track down those--prosecute those CEOs who break 
the law. We're making good progress here. I want to thank the Members of 
the House; I talked to them about how pleased I am with the progress 
we're making.
    Q. What about prescription drugs on the Senate side, sir?
    The President. Well, we'll see what comes out. [Inaudible]--
prescription drugs and Medicare. I've said that since I became the 
President, and we'll see what happens.
    Right now I'm focused on the trade vote. We're going to get a free 
trade agreement, which is very important for jobs and workers, very 
important for our farmers and ranchers, and it's very important for our 
economy. We're going to get a good homeland security bill. And as you 
know, we've got a good corporate responsibility in a bipartisan bill.
    So a lot has taken place here, and I'm real proud of the Members of 
both parties.

Note: The exchange began at 4:35 p.m. at the Capitol. A tape was not 
available for verification of the content of this exchange.