Bush urges action on FISA, housing matters

WASHINGTON, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- U.S. President George Bush Thursday urged the country to give the economic stimulus package a chance to work during a White House news conference.

"I don't think we're headed to recession, but we are in a slowdown," Bush said.

He said the $147 billion stimulus package was a "robust" example of bipartisanship, noting that tax rebate checks would begin going out to U.S. consumers in May.

During his news conference, Bush again urged the House to pass an intelligence surveillance bill already passed in the Senate. House leadership opposes retroactive immunity for telecommunications companies that supplied information to the government, a provision included in the Senate bill that the Bush administration supports.

Passing a measure without immunity provisions "could aid the enemy," the president said, and "could lead to disclosures about how we conduct surveillance" if cases go to court.

Bush urged Congress to pass legislation that would reform the Federal Housing Authority, and Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae lending programs, and a measure that would increase HIV/AIDS funding to Africa through the President's Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief.

He also urged Congress "to fully fund our troops" in Iraq.