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Expanding Opportunity

Excerpt from the July 8, 2002 News Conference of President Bush

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President Bush: . . . Congress must also pass the defense appropriations for next year's budget. The House has acted. The Senate must act. Our nation is at war and our budget priorities and actions need to reflect that reality.

These bills are critical. And quick action on them does not and should not preclude simultaneous progress on other legislation. Creating more jobs and strengthening our economy are critical priorities.

And Congress can act to create jobs by giving me trade promotion authority. Expanding trade means new jobs for American workers. Congress has debated trade now for more than a year. It's time to stop talking. It's time to start acting. Congress should act to create American jobs before it goes home for the August recess. . . .