National Issues

In his weekly radio address, President Bush said, "The fact that we have not been attacked over the past six-and-a-half years is not a matter of chance. It is the result of good policies and the determined efforts of individuals carrying them out. We owe these individuals our thanks, and we owe them the authorities they need to do their jobs effectively. We have no higher responsibility than stopping terrorist attacks. And this is no time for Congress to abandon practices that have a proven track record of keeping America safe."

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Illinois and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms and flooding beginning on January 7, 2008, and continuing.

Today, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released new jobs figures for February. The unemployment rate decreased to 4.8 percent, below the averages for the past three decades, but nonfarm payroll employment decreased by 63,000 jobs. Our economy has added about 860,000 jobs over the last 12 months an average of 72,000 jobs per month and more than 8.1 million since August 2003.

President Bush on Friday said, "As I told the Cuban people last October, a new day for Cuba will come. And we will know when it's here. We will know it's here when jailers go to the cells where Cuban prisoners of conscience are held and set them free. We will know it is here when Miguel Sigler Amaya is reunited with his brothers, and they can say what they think, and can come and go as they please. And we will know it is here when the Ladies in White no longer make their silent vigils, or live in constant fear of assault or arrest."

President Bush on Friday said, "We believe that the steps we have taken, together with the actions taken by the Federal Reserve, will have a positive effect on our economy. So my message to the American people is this: I know this is a difficult time for our economy, but we recognized the problem early, and provided the economy with a booster shot. We will begin to see the impact over the coming months. And in the long run, we can have confidence that so long as we pursue pro-growth, low-tax policies that put faith in the American people, our economy will prosper."

I condemn in the strongest possible terms the terrorist attack in Jerusalem that targeted innocent students at the Mercaz Harav Yeshiva. This barbaric and vicious attack on innocent civilians deserves the condemnation of every nation.

President Bush on Thursday said, "When this department was established following the September the 11th terrorist attacks, it was hard to imagine that we would reach this milestone without another attack on our homeland. For those of you who were here five years ago, you think back to that time -- I don't think we would have predicted that five years later there had not been another attack on us. And it's your vigilance and your hard work that have helped keep this country safe. And so I want to thank you."

President Bush on Thursday said, "Sitting next to me is Mr. Frank Buckles, 107-years-young, and he is the last living Doughboy from World War I. ...And so Mr. Buckles has a vivid recollection of historic times. And one way for me to honor the service of those who wear the uniform in the past and those who wear it today is to herald you, sir, and to thank you very much for your patriotism and your love for America."

On Thursday, March 06, 2008, the President signed into law S. 2571, which makes a technical correction to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, with regard to registration service fees for certain "minor use" pesticide.

President George W. Bush today announced that he has named three individuals to serve in his Administration: Tobi Merritt Edwards, Felipe Eduardo Sixto, and Nancy Theis.

Watch Thursday's Press Briefing with White House Press Secretary Dana Perino.

President Bush on Wednesday said, "John showed incredible courage and strength of character and perseverance in order to get to this moment. And that's exactly what we need in a President: somebody that can handle the tough decisions; somebody who won't flinch in the face of danger."

President George W. Bush today announced his nomination of five individuals to serve in his Administration: James B. Cunningham, Neil Suryakant Patel, Alexander Passantino, Donald G. Teitelbaum, and Frank Urbancic, Jr.

Nominations sent to the Senate: James B. Cunningham, Kerry Kennedy, Ikram U. Khan, Stephen D. Krasner, Alexander Passantino, Neil Suryakant Patel, Donald Gene Teitelbaum, Frank Charles Urbancic, Jr., and J. Robinson West.

President Bush on Wednesday said, "...[L]et me start first by telling you that America has got to change its habits. We've got to get off oil. And the reason why is, first, oil is -- dependency on oil presents a real challenge to our economy. As economies grow -- and we want all our economies to grow; we want people to be prosperous, we want people who are living in poverty to be able to grow out of poverty. We want there to be general prosperity, but as economies grow, until we change our habits, there is going to be more dependency on oil."

The crisis constituted by the actions and policies of certain members of the Government of Zimbabwe and other persons to undermine Zimbabwe's democratic processes or institutions has not been resolved. These actions and policies pose a continuing unusual and extraordinary threat to the foreign policy of the United States. For these reasons, I have determined that it is necessary to continue this national emergency and to maintain in force the sanctions to respond to this threat.

Because the actions and policies of these persons continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the foreign policy of the United States, the national emergency declared on March 6, 2003, and the measures adopted on that date and on November 22, 2005, to deal with that emergency, must continue in effect beyond March 6, 2008. Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency with respect to the actions and policies of certain members of the Government of Zimbabwe and other persons to undermine Zimbabwe's democratic processes or institutions.

President Bush on Tuesday said, "Your Majesty, I value your friendship and I value your leadership. And I appreciate you coming back. America has got no stronger friend in the Middle East than Jordan. And we appreciate the -- we appreciate your firmness when it comes to dealing with terror and extremism. We appreciate the heart when it comes to people -- your heart when it comes to people who suffer."

President Bush on Tuesday said, "The President told me that the people across the region are watching to see what the United States will do. So Republicans and Democrats in Congress need to come together and approve this agreement. By acting at this critical moment, we can show the Colombian people and millions across the region that they can count on America to keep its word, and that freedom is the surest path to prosperity and peace."

President Bush will welcome Prime Minister Rudd of Australia to the White House on March 28, 2008. The President welcomes the opportunity for productive exchanges with the Prime Minister on ways to further advance the close bilateral cooperation with Australia in a broad range of areas, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, climate change, and regional economic integration. The U.S.-Australia Alliance is grounded firmly in shared values of freedom, security, and prosperity, and the President looks forward to discussions with Prime Minister Rudd on ways to further enhance our strong partnership in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.