A: Secretary Bodman, Secretary of Energy:
After September 11, President Bush directed the Secretary of Energy to fill the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR).

The SPR is vital to our national security and filling it is necessary to maximize protection for American consumers and our economy against severe oil supply disruptions, which could result from a variety of events, including natural disasters, industrial accidents, and terrorist attacks.

A: Margaret Spellings, Secretary of Education:
On February 7, 2005, the President released his proposed 2006 budget for the U.S. Department of Education. The $56 billion budget request, representing a 33% or $13.8 billion increase since he took office, reaffirms President Bush’s strong commitment to reforming education. Taxpayer dollars will be directed to where student need is the greatest, including increases to assist states and school districts with the implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act. In addition, the budget exercises fiscal discipline by focusing on programs that work. More information regarding the President’s budget proposal, and No Child Left Behind, may be found at: http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2005/02/02072005.html.