WASHINGTON, July 7, 2007
Bush Says Dems In Congress Are Failing
President Accuses Legislative Majority Of Not Living Up To Their Duties
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(AP)
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Presidential Approval Ratings
A sampling of President Bush's overall job approval ratings at selected points during his term in office.
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100-Hour Agenda
A look at legislation new Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi wants the chamber to pass swiftly.
"Democrats are failing in their responsibility to make tough decisions and spend the people's money wisely," Bush said in his weekly radio address. "This moment is a test."
The White House has said the failure of a broad immigration overhaul was proof that Democratic-controlled Capitol Hill cannot take on major issues. "We saw this with immigration, and we're seeing it with some other issues where Congress is having an inability to take on major challenges," said spokesman Tony Fratto.
The main reason the immigration measure died, however, was staunch opposition from Bush's own base — conservatives. The president could not turn around members of his own party despite weeks of intense effort.
The immigration bill was the top item on Bush's domestic agenda. With its demise, Bush was left to focus on the annual appropriations process and reining in federal spending.
Twelve annual spending bills dole out approximately one-third of the federal budget. They must be passed each year by Congress, before the Oct. 1 start of the new fiscal year, but lawmakers began considering this year's batch just in mid-June. The House has passed half and the full Senate has not yet taken up any.
"Democrats have a chance to prove they are for open and transparent government by working to complete each spending bill independently and on time," Bush said. "I urge Democrats in Congress to step forward now and pass these bills one at a time. "
Democratic leaders say they are behind because an emergency spending measure funding the war in Iraq came first. They also had to pass an omnibus measure cleaning up last year's appropriations mess. Then, the Republicans who then controlled Congress failed to pass into law a single spending bill for domestic agencies save the Homeland Security Department — a situation that brought little complaint from Bush.
With the Senate and House now in Democratic hands, this year's bills are producing skirmishes with the White House that also are causing delays. Almost every domestic bill already has attracted a veto threat because it exceeds Bush's proposed budget in certain areas.
All told, Democrats plan spending increases for annual agency budgets of about $23 billion above the White House budget request. Bush put it in terms of a five-year outlook, and said their budget plan would be $205 billion bigger than his over that period, and would include "the largest tax increase in history" by allowing some of his tax cuts to expire as planned.
The president said Democrats are embracing "the failed tax-and-spend policies of the past," and vowed to stand firm for fiscal restraint. Republican lawmakers have pledged to support him and sustain any vetoes.
"No nation has ever taxed and spent its way to prosperity," Bush said. "And I have made it clear that I will veto any attempt to take America down this road."
The president also applauded a new jobs report, which showed employers adding 132,000 jobs, paychecks growing solidly and the unemployment rate staying at a low 4.5 percent in June.
Bush said the evidence that the once listless economy is regaining energy is a result of his insistence on lowering taxes and spending.
"Democratic leaders in Congress want to take our country down a different track," he said.
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See all 712 CommentsAsk these TRAITORS how much AIPAC influences their vote on Iraq? Is their support for Israel more than their duty to the Americans living in their states?
Carl Levin (D)
Steny Hoyer (D)
Joe Lieberman (I)
Alexander, Lamar- (R - TN)
Allard, Wayne- (R - CO)
Chambliss, Saxby- (R - GA)
Cochran, Thad- (R - MS)
Coleman, Norm- (R - MN)
Collins, Susan M.- (R - ME)
Cornyn, John- (R - TX)
Craig, Larry E.- (R - ID)
Dole, Elizabeth- (R - NC)
Enzi, Michael B.- (R - WY)
Graham, Lindsey- (R - SC)
Hagel, Chuck- (R - NE)
Inhofe, James M.- (R - OK)
McConnell, Mitch- (R - KY)
Roberts, Pat- (R - KS)
Sessions, Jeff- (R - AL)
Smith, Gordon H.- (R - OR)
Stevens, Ted- (R - AK)
Sununu, John E.- (R - NH)
Warner, John- (R - VA)
The economy concerns more than war. What types of jobs are those 132k and do they allow people to live and take care of their families?
As for 'tax and spend', I agree. yet Americans are told to save and not used credit. 'Deficit spend' therefore isn't the best solution either.
We all have to do our part, I agree and I'll do mine. But does either side have a goal? What are the objectives? I know we can't leave Iraq (it'd make the situation worse), but there's more to America than Iraq, surely?
"Democrats are failing in their responsibility to make tough decisions and spend the people's money wisely," Bush said in his weekly radio address. "This moment is a test."
YAH, BUSH AND HIS CRIME FAMILY HAVE NO PROBLEM IN SPENDING ALL AMERICAS MONEY, AND THEY DID SPEND ALL OUR MONEY AND OUR CHILDRENS MONEY.
ITS ALL GONE THANKS TO BUSH CRIME FAMILY
So, he's convicted and sentenced. THE DAY BEFORE Libby's sentence is to begin, Bush commutes it.
Does NO ONE ELSE FIND THIS SUSPICIOUS? Why wasn't Libby allowed to serve even one day of his sentence: what is Bush afraid of? The whole thing stinks to high heaven, and now there is NO WHERE ON CBS where they are going to talk about it, so I'm posting my concern here...
"Democrats are failing in their responsibility to make tough decisions and spend the people's money wisely," Bush said in his weekly radio address. "This moment is a test."
HEY BUSH AND TONY ******* UP YOURS.....
JUST LIKE YOU HAVE DONE TO ALL AMERICANS.
Take responsibility for your own inabilities.
Finding fault in others does not make you a better person.
You weren't "elected" to tell us what is wrong with Congress.
Posted by ubrew12
Excellent reporting!
- Thanks. Serious postings as yours are truly appreciated. I as many others know what you are saying especially when we can post about what CBs finds serious such as those "expensive" haircuts of a candidate.
He said a 3 month sentence was too harsh.
He said a 30 day sentence was too harsh.
He said a 3 day sentence was too harsh.
He said a 3 minute sentence was too harsh.
George Bush said a 30 second sentence was too harsh: for lying to a grand jury in a case involving an ACT OF TREASON IN A TIME OF WAR.
WHAT IS GOING ON???????????
AMERICA MUST ACT!
CALL OR WRITE YOUR CONGRESSMAN! NOW!
WOW!! He's 100% correct for once!!
Let me complete the sentence..
They're failing to stop the loss of human life & wasted tax payer dollars in Iraq, failing to end the the GOP culture of corruption fast enough. Be aware damage to our country, the world over and this planet is still happening at record pace.
The debt ceiling was increased 5 times under you're watch Mr. Bush, an additional 2 Trillion dollars was added to the national Debt under spend thrift Republicans. China now owns the US, tell us again how borrowing and spending leads a nation to prosperity Mr. President.
I WAS WATCHING SOMEONE THE OTHER NIGHT AND RIGHT WHEN HE STARTED TO BASH THE LIVEING HELL ON BUSH THE WHOLE SCREEN WENT BLACK FOR ABOUT 30 SEC THEN CAME BACK ON AFTER HE WAS DONE..
SO THEY CONTROL ALL
Then why has he raise the US deficit 56% in the last 6 years? It stands at $8,000,000,000,000+
I guess he's speaking from personal experience. We know now without doubt his economic plan is a failure. Just like Reagan he tried to spend our grand kids dollars to make it look like the economy was strong.
"Honey good news.. we got a raise! The bank has increased our credit limit , again!!"
Give me a break!!
"Who are you?"
and to all americans that think that their governemnt hasn't been in on this as many senators and reps are named to. so lets say this we the people are going to be run by the middle east and all big money companys.
we the people better stand up and take back our country now. before aipac has their way in congress more..
this is a warnnig!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"It must be nice. To have as your resume points nobody can prove, correlate, or justify. You got the best platform in the universe, buddy! Look at me! Look at my credentials! 10,000 miles away!"
has done virtually nothing to stop the drain on the taxpayers illegal immigration causes; not even any stopgap measures. Its no wonder that your approval levels are as low as they are.
And when you said "compassionate" I didn't think it meant war.
And when you said "faith" I didn't think it meant spying on me.
Remember his "amusing" video of Bush looking under furniture in the oval office for his family friend?
How about that picture of George holding his Saudi "friend's" hand. Remember GAS UNDER $1 GALLON BEFORE George helped out the "friends" that bailed him out of that Harkin Oil mismanagement thing that would have been "embarassing" so he could launder their money into a Sports Team?
Yep, and flying a barstool while MISSING from his DUTY IN THE GUARD - supposedly working a Political Campaign when all the OTHER military members ARE BANNED from doing the same thing.
It's obvious that George's "search for meaning" was really short live and his HANDLERS told him to STOP THINKING and go back to being an empty headed mouthpiece for their CORPORATE TAKEOVER of the US - also once known as fascism before people woke up to its meaning.
For all the pee-ons that are being manipulated into poverty and death STAND UP get some brass nuts and REMOVE the greedy PROFITEERS from OUR Capital!
I'll be voting for Congressman Dr. Ron Paul for President. He's the ONLY HONEST candidate in the bunch.
GOOD BYE MIDDLE CLASS BushCo is strangling the life out of you.
Posted by veteran71
I would favor tar and feathering or better yet keelhauling them on the aircraft carrier named after daddy
Lars008, is that you? Since bush only has 3 supporters left in this country, and I'm reasonably sure it isn't Laura or Barney.....Well, that just leaves you Lars.
Posted by screen_name
Are you talking about "Rev." Ted Haggard?
-Cause that WAS a very queer marriage- a gay republican pastor doing drugs and advising the president- don't get any queerer than that-
- I agree
Posted by screen_name
And America would be better off without nuclear weapons because . . . . . .?
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