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CNN Saturday Morning News

Bush, Democrats Differ on Economic Stimulus Issues

Aired December 15, 2001 - 11:46   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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Now to the battle over how to resuscitate the U.S. economy and help workers who've lost their jobs. President Bush and Senator Tom Daschle took to the airwaves today with opposing views on what to do.

CNN White House correspondent Kelly Wallace joins us again. She's wearing a number of hats today, covering everything on the agenda from the White House.

Hello again, Kelly.

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Kyra, hope you and Bill are not sick of me just yet.

PHILLIPS: Never could be.

WALLACE: OK. Well moving to another subject, and as you said, lots of partisan wrangling over the economy. President Bush devoting his radio address to try to step up the pressure on Senate Democrats, the president bringing some new ammunition to the table this time. He said there will be real consequences in the country if the Senate fails to pass a bill that would give a boost to the economy and help laid off workers.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: This economic growth package is urgently needed. Today the federal government's Council of Economic Advisers released a report that estimates the bipartisan agreement reached this week can save 300,000 American jobs that might otherwise be lost if we fail to act.

Democrats and Republicans set aside partisan politics to arrive at this agreement. They want to get something done for America's workers. We believe this agreement has enough votes to be approved by the United States Senate, and I'm ready to sign it into law.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

WALLACE: And Mr. Bush went on to say he's calling on the Senate Democratic leader, Tom Daschle, to schedule a vote. The House has already passed a bill, so the attention is certainly on the Senate, the President saying he has made a number of concessions to Democrats. And again, now he's calling on the Senate Democratic leader to act. Lots of Republicans have been saying behind the scenes they don't believe Senator Tom Daschle wants a bill. But in his radio address, which he devoted as well to the economy and an economic stimulus package, Senator Daschle sounding a note of optimism that the two sides can resolve their difference.

(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)

SEN. TOM DASCHLE (D-SD), MAJORITY LEADER: I'm confident we can bridge our differences, just as we have on so many other important issues since September 11. Democrats are more than willing to compromise on every detail, as long as the final plan provides real help to families who need it.

(END AUDIO CLIP)

WALLACE: And the main sticking points continue to be how to insure that unemployed workers can obtain and afford health care coverage, and also how much should individual tax cuts be accelerated.

We are really in the end game here, Kyra. Everyone believes that if lawmakers can't resolve their differences this week, there won't be a bill. We'll see what happens. Back to you.

PHILLIPS: All right, we'll keep updated on that. Kelly Wallace, thank you so much.

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