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CNN Live Event/Special

President Bush Speaks to Meeting of Democratic Leaders

Aired December 19, 2001 - 10:10   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.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: We want to bring you know this tape that we're bringing in right now from the White House, bipartisan meeting of the congressional leaders, meeting with President Bush. High priority is the economic stimulus package stuck in Congress right now.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I am proud to report that members of both political parties in both bodies of Congress have come to an agreement as to how to stimulate our economy and how to take care of people in need, people who have lost their job.

I'm proud of the members around this table for making the conscience decision to work together to answer some serious needs that face our country. A lot of people have lost their jobs and don't have health care, and the people around this table said, "I want to do something about it," and they proposed a very constructive real plan.

A lot of people around this table understand that in the long- term we've got to make sure our economy grows, and so we provided stimulus to the economy, most of which affects middle-class America. The income tax rate reduction affects those making $27,000 to $65,000 a year, hardworking Americans who could use help coming into the holiday season.

I can't thank the chairman, the speaker, the leaders around this table for recognizing that there's something more important than politics, and that's to do our jobs, to recognize we have a serious problem and address it and solve the problem.

This bill can pass both bodies. This bill will pass the House. It's got enough votes to pass the Senate, and therefore, I look forward to working with both bodies in any way I can to convince those who are reluctant to get a bill done, that this makes sense for America, so we can leave for Christmas knowing full well that we've done the people's business.

Again, congratulations to you all, and I want to thank you for your work. Thank you for your care for America.

God bless you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HARRIS: President bush here, just moments ago. I said that was a bipartisan meeting -- that was not. That was a meeting of Democratic leaders on the Hill. President Bush, in his words, going in to just say hello, but he thanked them for their cooperation, urged them to get moving on the economic stimulus package that's stuck right now in Congress, saying that it's time to get it going, and it makes sense for America to get this done before they leave now for Christmas.

We will watch that process and see how it goes.

Now the president, as a matter of fact, even as we speak, is now meeting with Republicans on Capitol Hill, and we will be checking out his comments there later on through the show. So stay with us.

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