During his final State of the Union address, Bush called upon Congress to permanently extend Charitable Choice legislative provisions governing participation of faith-based organizations in certain federal programs. He outlined several ways faith-based initiatives met individuals' needs, highlighting several prisoner-related programs.

Bush also asked lawmakers to expand the U.S. efforts to promote a global agenda of compassion to support the basic human needs of all people. Among the issues, Bush asked Congress to support a proposal that would provide food assistance in poor and developing countries by purchasing crops of local and regional farmers.

He also asked Congress to reauthorize the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief and double its initial commitment with an additional $30 billion over the next five years. The United States in 2003 began the program that helps bring life-saving treatments to more than 1.4 million people around the world.