A day after lawmakers in the Congress ended their work year, President Bush told a news conference that he was pleased with the approval of extra money for the war in Iraq.

"I think it's good that we funded our troops without an artificial timetable," Mr. Bush said, "I think it's good for our country that happened."

The President was not as pleased with a year-end $555 billion budget bill that has some nine thousand earmarks.

Mr. Bush told reporters that he would have his administration review the myriad of home-state projects stuffed into the budget plan, in hopes of finding ways to limit that spending.

"I am instructing Budget Director Jim Nussle to review options for dealing with the wasteful spending in the omnibus bill," the President said.

On other issues, the President steered clear of questions about the race to replace him in the White House, though he did repeat his prediction that the Republican party will maintain control of his job.

"I believe we will keep the White House. I believe ours is the party that understands that understands the nature of the world in which we live," said Mr. Bush, who added, "I'm confident we can pick up seats in both the Senate and the Congress."

archive index | main