In his weekly radio address, Bush acknowledged that "many working families have been weathering tough economic times" but he said there have been "some recent signs that our economy is beginning to improve."

"While the housing market is continuing to experience difficulty, the decline in home sales has leveled off recently, and sales are rising in some parts of the country," he said.

The president noted recent increases in orders for some durable goods and a report this week that the economy in the second quarter grew at an annual rate of 3.3 percent.

"These welcome signs indicate that the economic stimulus package that I signed earlier this year is having its intended effect," Bush said.

He also pointed out that Labor Day is the traditional start of the U.S. election season and called on Congress to get its "work done for the American people" rather than use the coming months to "score political points."

Specifically, he called for congressional action on energy and free trade issues.