BUSH CHIDES DEMOCRAT-LED CONGRESS

EarthTimes, UK
Oct 17 2007

WASHINGTON, Oct. 17 U.S. President George Bush used a White House
news conference Wednesday to chastise the Democrat-controlled Congress
for achieving little in nine months.

"Unfortunately, they haven’t managed to pass many important bills,"
Bush said. "One of Congress’ basic duties is to fund the day-to-day
operations of the federal government. Yet Congress has not sent me
a single appropriations bill."

He criticized the political wrangling over the State Children’s Health
Insurance Program, which Democrats want to expand by $35 billion over
five years compared with his proposed $5 billion.

"I’m confident we can work out our differences and reauthorize SCHIP,"
he said.

Bush also took a swipe at House Democrats for ongoing work on
non-binding resolutions accusing Turkey of the 1915 Armenian genocide.

"With all these pressing responsibilities, one thing Congress should
not be doing is sorting out the historical record of the Ottoman
Empire," Bush said.

The president also called on Congress to step up the agenda on
ensuring the survival of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act,
which is set to expire in February.

Bush said Congress was behind on dealing with such issues as education,
housing, law enforcement and help for military veterans.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress