Bush asks lawmakers to move aggressively on housing, education
President George W Bush on Tuesday said that Congress is blocking his proposals to deal with high gas prices and dragging its feet on other issues to address the sagging US economy.
By PTI |
WASHINGTON: President George W Bush on Tuesday said that Congress is blocking his proposals to deal with high gas prices and dragging its feet on other issues to address the sagging US economy. He said he was open to any idea in terms of energy, including a proposal backed by presidential candidates John McCain and Hillary Clinton to suspend gas and diesel taxes this summer.
But, he said, he favoured longer-term fixes, such as encouraging new oil production in the United States and the building of new refineries.
"It's a tough time for our economy," Bush said at a White House news conference. "Across our country, many Americans are understandably anxious about issues affecting their pocketbook, from gas and food prices to mortgage and tuition bills. They're looking to their elected leaders in Congress for action.
"Unfortunately, on many of these issues, all they're getting is delay," he said.
Bush was asked about a proposal by Republican presidential contender John McCain, later endorsed by Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton, to suspend taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel for the summer travel season. The tax is 18.4 cents per gallon of gasoline and 24.4 cents on diesel fuel.
Bush renewed his objection to stop filling the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve while oil prices are so high, as many Democrats and some Republicans have suggested. "If I thought it would affect the price of oil significantly, I would seriously consider it," Bush said.
But, he said, he favoured longer-term fixes, such as encouraging new oil production in the United States and the building of new refineries.
"It's a tough time for our economy," Bush said at a White House news conference. "Across our country, many Americans are understandably anxious about issues affecting their pocketbook, from gas and food prices to mortgage and tuition bills. They're looking to their elected leaders in Congress for action.
"Unfortunately, on many of these issues, all they're getting is delay," he said.
Bush was asked about a proposal by Republican presidential contender John McCain, later endorsed by Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton, to suspend taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel for the summer travel season. The tax is 18.4 cents per gallon of gasoline and 24.4 cents on diesel fuel.
Bush renewed his objection to stop filling the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve while oil prices are so high, as many Democrats and some Republicans have suggested. "If I thought it would affect the price of oil significantly, I would seriously consider it," Bush said.
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