Bush criticizes Congress for slow progress on spending bills

WHITE HOUSE (AP) — President Bush is criticizing the Democratic-led Congress for a stalemate in Washington.

He’s scolding Democrats for failing to send him any appropriations bills, even though the government started a new budget year on October 1st. Standing outside the White House with
GOP leaders, Bush says the leadership on the Hill now “can’t get that done.”

He’s also warning Congress not to bother sending him another version of a children’s health insurance bill that he won’t sign. He vetoed the legislation once. The House has passed a revamped version that he does not support, and the Senate is expected to
take it up soon.

House Democratic Caucus chairman Rahm Emanuel says Bush’s comments are a reminder that, as he put it, “congressional Republicans remain ready and willing to rubber-stamp the Bush
agenda.”