For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
March 31, 2008

President Bush Departs for NATO Summit
South Lawn

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6:56 A.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Laura and I are on our way to a very important NATO summit, and members of the United States Congress are on their way back to Washington. And they have a lot of work to do.

Congress needs to pass FISA reform. Our intelligence professionals are waiting on the Congress to give them the tools they need to monitor terrorist communications. Congress also needs to provide liability protection to companies that may have helped save lives after September the 11th, 2001.

Congress needs to pass legislation to modernize the Federal Housing Administration. Struggling homeowners are waiting on Congress to act so that the FHA can help more Americans refinance their mortgages and stay in their homes.

Congress needs to act urgently to approve the Colombian Free Trade Agreement -- a courageous ally in South America is waiting on Congress to approve an agreement that will strengthen our national security. American businesses, workers and farmers are waiting on Congress to level the playing field.

These are all vital priorities, and I ask members of both parties to get these important pieces of legislation to my desk as soon as possible.

Thank you very much.

END 6:58 A.M. EDT