President Bush is praising Congress for voting some of his legislative priorities into law and asking lawmakers to do even more when they return from their August recess.
In his weekly radio address Saturday, Mr. Bush said Congress should make final approval of a defense bill a priority come September, so the U.S. military can plan, and pay for, the war on terror. He also called for Senate action on creating a new, Cabinet-level, Department of Homeland Security.
However, the President also thanked Congress for enhancing his authority to negotiate trade agreements and approving tougher punishment for corporate fraud in the past two weeks.
Congress adjourned this past week and will resume business in early September. Mr. Bush himself will leave for his Texas ranch this coming week, for what the White House is calling a month-long, working vacation.