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CNN Live Today
President Bush Meets with GOP Lawmakers
Aired May 20, 2004 - 10:51 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: A lot of news coming out of Iraq. That was the topic, not surprisingly, when President Bush was up on Capitol Hill, a rare visit for him there today. For more on that, let's go to the White House and Elaine Quijano -- Elaine.
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn.
President Bush met with lawmakers on the Hill for about an hour or so. The president being escorted into that meeting with Republican lawmakers, alongside House speaker Denny Hastert, as well as Senate majority leader Bill Frist. The president there going at a critical time for the White House, the president trying to rally the Republican troops, so to speak.
Now the president did not make any comments as he left that meeting today, but members say that he was upbeat, that he was positive. They say that he thanked lawmakers for the work that they've done, their domestic accomplishments.
And the president turned his attention to foreign policy, of course Iraq. lawmakers saying that the president expressed his resolve for staying the course in Iraq, and that he remains committed to sticking with that June 30th deadline for the handover of power to the Iraqi interim government.
Now Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania saying that there was absolutely no backing down from that, that the handover would happen, a sentiment echoed by Virginia Senator George Allen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. GEORGE ALLEN (R), VIRGINIA: He's resolved. And he's going to stand strong for freedom. Good team meeting. There are those who will question whether or not we should stay and fight. Of course, the president believes that those who are serving very honorably ought to have our gratitude and appreciation. He is one who believes, of course, ultimately, our goal is for the Iraqis to be in control of Iraq's security.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
QUIJANO: Now one other note on Iraq. One senator saying that the president did mention the Iraqi prisoner abuse scandal. Of course this visit to the Hill coming at a time when the administration has been facing some harsh scrutiny from members of Congress over how it handled the prisoner abuse scandal. Also lawmakers say that the president talked about academic issues. Of course his budget another topic of discussion as well. The president looking to Congress to get his budget passed -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Elaine Quijano at the White House. Thank you for that.
We're going to have a quick look at weather just ahead, after this break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(WEATHER REPORT)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired May 20, 2004 - 10:51 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: A lot of news coming out of Iraq. That was the topic, not surprisingly, when President Bush was up on Capitol Hill, a rare visit for him there today. For more on that, let's go to the White House and Elaine Quijano -- Elaine.
ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn.
President Bush met with lawmakers on the Hill for about an hour or so. The president being escorted into that meeting with Republican lawmakers, alongside House speaker Denny Hastert, as well as Senate majority leader Bill Frist. The president there going at a critical time for the White House, the president trying to rally the Republican troops, so to speak.
Now the president did not make any comments as he left that meeting today, but members say that he was upbeat, that he was positive. They say that he thanked lawmakers for the work that they've done, their domestic accomplishments.
And the president turned his attention to foreign policy, of course Iraq. lawmakers saying that the president expressed his resolve for staying the course in Iraq, and that he remains committed to sticking with that June 30th deadline for the handover of power to the Iraqi interim government.
Now Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania saying that there was absolutely no backing down from that, that the handover would happen, a sentiment echoed by Virginia Senator George Allen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SEN. GEORGE ALLEN (R), VIRGINIA: He's resolved. And he's going to stand strong for freedom. Good team meeting. There are those who will question whether or not we should stay and fight. Of course, the president believes that those who are serving very honorably ought to have our gratitude and appreciation. He is one who believes, of course, ultimately, our goal is for the Iraqis to be in control of Iraq's security.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
QUIJANO: Now one other note on Iraq. One senator saying that the president did mention the Iraqi prisoner abuse scandal. Of course this visit to the Hill coming at a time when the administration has been facing some harsh scrutiny from members of Congress over how it handled the prisoner abuse scandal. Also lawmakers say that the president talked about academic issues. Of course his budget another topic of discussion as well. The president looking to Congress to get his budget passed -- Daryn.
KAGAN: Elaine Quijano at the White House. Thank you for that.
We're going to have a quick look at weather just ahead, after this break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(WEATHER REPORT)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
