January 31, 2008
Keith Hennessey, Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and Director of the National Economic Council

Good morning from the West Wing of the White House. The President spoke yesterday at Robinson Helicopter Company in Torrance, CA on the economy and trade. The Congress is now considering a short-term economic growth package, spurred by the President's proposal of about two weeks ago. The US economy is growing, albeit more slowly than we would like. And we face drags and risks from the housing sector, financial markets, and oil prices. That's why the President proposed to let you keep more of the money you earn this year, and to give businesses an incentive to invest in 2008. The President reached an agreement last week on a bipartisan growth bill with Speaker Pelosi and Republican Leader Boehner, and that bill passed the House 385-35. We hope that the Senate will soon pass that bill without amendment, so the President can sign it, and we can get the process going on issuing tax refund checks.

January 29, 2008
Jay Hein, Director of the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives

Good afternoon! I just returned to the White House with President Bush following our trip to Baltimore visiting the Jericho Prisoner Reentry Program, a faith-based organization helping ex-offenders make a fresh start after prison. In his State of the Union address last night, the President recognized the impact of faith-based and other dedicated charities throughout the country like the Jericho Program. He also called on Congress to ensure faith-based organizations are always guaranteed a level playing field in Federal programs, by making Charitable Choice principles universal and permanent under the law. As the President marks the 7th anniversary of his Faith-Based and Community Initiative today, I join him in thanking America’s “Armies of Compassion” for their service to their neighbors in need.

January 25, 2008
Henry M. Paulson, Jr., Secretary of the Treasury

The U.S. economy is fundamentally strong and will continue to grow in the short term. But, growth is slowing down markedly as the housing correction, capital market turbulence and high oil prices are taking their toll. So while I expect our economy to continue growing, the risks are to the downside. Recognizing this, the President decided that the time had come to take steps to protect our economy. He directed me to work with the Congress to enact an economic growth package quickly, to boost economic growth and job creation this year.

January 16, 2008
George W. Bush, President of the United States

It's been a long trip and a successful trip. I had a chance to advance three major themes: first, that the United States is committed to helping Israel and the Palestinians achieve peace. Second, that in order for there to be peace, it's important for nations in the neighborhood to support both the Palestinians and the Israelis. And finally, I renewed our strong commitment to the security of the Gulf countries.