WASHINGTON, Oct. 17 (UPI) -- U.S. President George Bush used a White House news conference Wednesday to chastise the Democrat-controlled Congress for achieving little in nine months.
"Unfortunately, they haven't managed to pass many important bills," Bush said. "One of Congress' basic duties is to fund the day-to-day operations of the federal government. Yet Congress has not sent me a single appropriations bill."
He criticized the political wrangling over the State Children's Health Insurance Program, which Democrats want to expand by $35 billion over five years compared with his proposed $5 billion.
"I'm confident we can work out our differences and reauthorize SCHIP," he said.
Bush also took a swipe at House Democrats for ongoing work on non-binding resolutions accusing Turkey of the 1915 Armenian genocide.
"With all these pressing responsibilities, one thing Congress should not be doing is sorting out the historical record of the Ottoman Empire," Bush said.
The president also called on Congress to step up the agenda on ensuring the survival of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which is set to expire in February.
Bush said Congress was behind on dealing with such issues as education, housing, law enforcement and help for military veterans.
