WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 (UPI) -- U.S. President George Bush, in his State of the Union speech, urged Congress to forge a bipartisan solution for entitlement programs such as Social Security.
Bush also pledged to veto any appropriation bill sent to him that doesn't cut the number and cost of earmarks. Before his address, Bush said he would sign an executive order directing federal agencies to ignore earmarks that haven't been voted on but inserted in conference reports of legislation, beginning with 2009 appropriations bills.
"The people's trust in their government is undermined by congressional earmarks," Bush said in excerpts released by the White House in advance of his speech.
Regarding entitlement programs, Bush said, "Every member in this chamber knows that spending on entitlement programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid is growing faster than we can afford."
He asked them "to offer your proposals and come up with a bipartisan solution to save these vital programs for our children and grandchildren."
Bush also reiterated his commitment to balance the budget by 2012 without raising taxes. Bush will submit his proposal for fiscal year 2009 in February.
