WASHINGTON - President Bush, seeking to capitalize on the new Republican control of Congress, said yesterday that his most urgent priority is the creation of a Homeland Security Department.
His proposal for the agency has stalled over disagreements with Democrats, who lost control of the Senate in the midterm elections.
"I want it done," Bush said. "It is a priority. We got a good bill out of the House, and they need to get a bill out of the Senate and to my desk."
The president's show of determination underscored his readiness to push hard for his legislative goals, now that his party commands both chambers of Congress.
In his first formal news conference since July, and his first public appearance since Republicans scored sweeping victories Tuesday, Bush expressed optimism that the United Nations Security Council will approve a tough new resolution today requiring Iraq to disarm. He warned of military action if Saddam Hussein does not comply.
"Should we have to use troops, should it become a necessity in order to disarm him, the United States, with friends, will move swiftly with force to do the job," Bush said.
The president said unequivocally that if he seeks re-election in 2004, Vice President Dick Cheney would again be his running mate.
"He is a superb vice president, and there's no reason for me to change," Bush said.
The comment, in response to a question, was not surprising, though speculation has focused on Cheney's history of heart trouble and about whether poor health could eventually end his political career.
Asked whether he had discussed another run with Cheney, Bush said: "I'm confident that he will serve another term."
The president appeared relaxed, even jovial - and, as usual, laced his discussion of weighty issues with stabs at humor. He spoke for 47 minutes, and when an aide tried to end the session after about a half-hour, the president said, "I'm having such a good time," then moved on.
On Wednesday, Bush had remained conspicuously out of sight. Aides said he wanted to avoid appearing to gloat over Tuesday's surprisingly decisive Republican victories, in which Bush's party strengthened its control of the House and took over the Senate.
Many Republican candidates and officials pointed to Bush's popularity, and his aggressive campaigning in the final days, as key factors in the party's gains. But the president refused to take credit.
"Candidates win elections because they're good candidates, not because they may happen to have the president as a friend," Bush said. "The best way to win an election is to earn the trust of the voters, and that's what happened in state after state after state. We had some really good candidates who overcame some pretty tough odds."
But the president could not hide his delight over the election outcome, which gives his agenda a better chance of passing over the next two years.
"Sometimes you win them, and sometimes you lose elections. That's just the way it is," Bush said. "And I was pleased with the results."
Bush said he wants lawmakers - who will return next week for a brief "lame-duck" session - to finish work quickly on the homeland security bill, on legislation to offer businesses terrorism insurance and on 11 must-pass spending bills.
Lawmakers are close to a compromise on the terrorism insurance bill. That measure, Bush says, is vital to the economy and would spur new construction projects.
But the 11 spending bills are unlikely to pass before the end of the year. And even without a majority, Democrats are likely to continue battling over the homeland security measure and other legislation, because Republicans lack the 60 votes needed to overcome a Senate filibuster.
Democrats oppose a provision in the homeland security bill that would let the president temporarily suspend labor rights for department employees if he deems their duties vital to national security.
Bush was asked about pleas from conservatives in his party, who have called on him to take advantage of the Republican victories Tuesday and press immediately for more conservative proposals on his agenda.
"I appreciate all the advice I'm getting," Bush said, smiling. He added: "I don't take cues from anybody."
Nevertheless, the president previewed an agenda that, if passed, would likely please conservatives.
He said he is committed to making the $1.3 trillion tax cut that was approved last year permanent. That effort will likely test the resolve of Democrats. They oppose further tax cuts but are now in the minority in both chambers of Congress.
Bush argues that permanent tax cuts are crucial to a healthy economy. But Democrats say the tax cuts favor the wealthy, threaten the nation's economic health and should be rolled back.
The president served notice that he plans to push for Senate confirmation of many of the conservative judicial appointees whose nominations were blocked when Democrats held the majority. He said he would work toward approving a plan to partially privatize Social Security, thus allowing younger workers to invest some of their payroll taxes in stocks and other private investments.
Speaking at length about Iraq, the president said that after phone conversations yesterday with Presidents Vladimir V. Putin of Russia and Jacques Chirac of France, he is optimistic that the U.N. Security Council will adopt a tough new resolution today.
France and Russia have been key holdouts. Both have opposed giving the United States license to launch military action on its own. Yesterday, after a final change in wording, French officials said they would support the U.S.-British resolution. Russia has not announced its support officially but will not exercise its veto power, diplomats said.
Bush appeared to suggest that the crucial test for Iraq could come in the first few weeks, when Iraq is required to make a complete disclosure of its weapons programs.
"The next step will be to put an inspection regime in there," Bush said. Hussein's "got to show the world he's disarming."
The president repeated his contention that the Iraqi leader is "a threat because he is dealing with al-Qaida."
Bush defended his decision to threaten Iraq with force while applying only diplomatic pressure against North Korea, which has acknowledged trying to enrich uranium in order to produce nuclear weapons. But he hinted that his stance toward North Korea might harden. His top national security advisers met yesterday to discuss the problem.
Given that a sputtering economy has defeated even once-popular presidents, Bush is thought to be weighing a shake-up of his staff of economic advisers, to send a message to Americans that he is acting to deal with their economic hardships.
One member of Bush's economic team, Harvey L. Pitt, the chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, resigned Tuesday night under heavy pressure.
Lawrence B. Lindsey, Bush's top economic adviser in the White House, has been widely mentioned as next in line to leave. Some analysts believe the president needs a replacement for Lindsey who can aggressively confront a sluggish economy and who is more adept at reassuring a worried public.
However, the president expressed faith in his economic team, saying they "came in during very difficult times. There was a recession. There was a terrorist attack. There were corporate scandals. We have done a lot to return confidence."
Lindsey said yesterday that he has "no plans to make any changes."
In typical form, Bush tried to keep the mood of the news conference light. He jokingly scolded one especially tall reporter for blocking his view of the television cameras. He told another reporter that she should have named her newborn daughter "Georgia W."
And at the end, when a reporter asked Bush what he had given his wife, Laura, for her birthday and for the couple's anniversary this week, the president would only flash a mischievous wink.
His proposal for the agency has stalled over disagreements with Democrats, who lost control of the Senate in the midterm elections.
"I want it done," Bush said. "It is a priority. We got a good bill out of the House, and they need to get a bill out of the Senate and to my desk."
The president's show of determination underscored his readiness to push hard for his legislative goals, now that his party commands both chambers of Congress.
In his first formal news conference since July, and his first public appearance since Republicans scored sweeping victories Tuesday, Bush expressed optimism that the United Nations Security Council will approve a tough new resolution today requiring Iraq to disarm. He warned of military action if Saddam Hussein does not comply.
"Should we have to use troops, should it become a necessity in order to disarm him, the United States, with friends, will move swiftly with force to do the job," Bush said.
The president said unequivocally that if he seeks re-election in 2004, Vice President Dick Cheney would again be his running mate.
"He is a superb vice president, and there's no reason for me to change," Bush said.
The comment, in response to a question, was not surprising, though speculation has focused on Cheney's history of heart trouble and about whether poor health could eventually end his political career.
Asked whether he had discussed another run with Cheney, Bush said: "I'm confident that he will serve another term."
The president appeared relaxed, even jovial - and, as usual, laced his discussion of weighty issues with stabs at humor. He spoke for 47 minutes, and when an aide tried to end the session after about a half-hour, the president said, "I'm having such a good time," then moved on.
On Wednesday, Bush had remained conspicuously out of sight. Aides said he wanted to avoid appearing to gloat over Tuesday's surprisingly decisive Republican victories, in which Bush's party strengthened its control of the House and took over the Senate.
Many Republican candidates and officials pointed to Bush's popularity, and his aggressive campaigning in the final days, as key factors in the party's gains. But the president refused to take credit.
"Candidates win elections because they're good candidates, not because they may happen to have the president as a friend," Bush said. "The best way to win an election is to earn the trust of the voters, and that's what happened in state after state after state. We had some really good candidates who overcame some pretty tough odds."
But the president could not hide his delight over the election outcome, which gives his agenda a better chance of passing over the next two years.
"Sometimes you win them, and sometimes you lose elections. That's just the way it is," Bush said. "And I was pleased with the results."
Bush said he wants lawmakers - who will return next week for a brief "lame-duck" session - to finish work quickly on the homeland security bill, on legislation to offer businesses terrorism insurance and on 11 must-pass spending bills.
Lawmakers are close to a compromise on the terrorism insurance bill. That measure, Bush says, is vital to the economy and would spur new construction projects.
But the 11 spending bills are unlikely to pass before the end of the year. And even without a majority, Democrats are likely to continue battling over the homeland security measure and other legislation, because Republicans lack the 60 votes needed to overcome a Senate filibuster.
Democrats oppose a provision in the homeland security bill that would let the president temporarily suspend labor rights for department employees if he deems their duties vital to national security.
Bush was asked about pleas from conservatives in his party, who have called on him to take advantage of the Republican victories Tuesday and press immediately for more conservative proposals on his agenda.
"I appreciate all the advice I'm getting," Bush said, smiling. He added: "I don't take cues from anybody."
Nevertheless, the president previewed an agenda that, if passed, would likely please conservatives.
He said he is committed to making the $1.3 trillion tax cut that was approved last year permanent. That effort will likely test the resolve of Democrats. They oppose further tax cuts but are now in the minority in both chambers of Congress.
Bush argues that permanent tax cuts are crucial to a healthy economy. But Democrats say the tax cuts favor the wealthy, threaten the nation's economic health and should be rolled back.
The president served notice that he plans to push for Senate confirmation of many of the conservative judicial appointees whose nominations were blocked when Democrats held the majority. He said he would work toward approving a plan to partially privatize Social Security, thus allowing younger workers to invest some of their payroll taxes in stocks and other private investments.
Speaking at length about Iraq, the president said that after phone conversations yesterday with Presidents Vladimir V. Putin of Russia and Jacques Chirac of France, he is optimistic that the U.N. Security Council will adopt a tough new resolution today.
France and Russia have been key holdouts. Both have opposed giving the United States license to launch military action on its own. Yesterday, after a final change in wording, French officials said they would support the U.S.-British resolution. Russia has not announced its support officially but will not exercise its veto power, diplomats said.
Bush appeared to suggest that the crucial test for Iraq could come in the first few weeks, when Iraq is required to make a complete disclosure of its weapons programs.
"The next step will be to put an inspection regime in there," Bush said. Hussein's "got to show the world he's disarming."
The president repeated his contention that the Iraqi leader is "a threat because he is dealing with al-Qaida."
Bush defended his decision to threaten Iraq with force while applying only diplomatic pressure against North Korea, which has acknowledged trying to enrich uranium in order to produce nuclear weapons. But he hinted that his stance toward North Korea might harden. His top national security advisers met yesterday to discuss the problem.
Given that a sputtering economy has defeated even once-popular presidents, Bush is thought to be weighing a shake-up of his staff of economic advisers, to send a message to Americans that he is acting to deal with their economic hardships.
One member of Bush's economic team, Harvey L. Pitt, the chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, resigned Tuesday night under heavy pressure.
Lawrence B. Lindsey, Bush's top economic adviser in the White House, has been widely mentioned as next in line to leave. Some analysts believe the president needs a replacement for Lindsey who can aggressively confront a sluggish economy and who is more adept at reassuring a worried public.
However, the president expressed faith in his economic team, saying they "came in during very difficult times. There was a recession. There was a terrorist attack. There were corporate scandals. We have done a lot to return confidence."
Lindsey said yesterday that he has "no plans to make any changes."
In typical form, Bush tried to keep the mood of the news conference light. He jokingly scolded one especially tall reporter for blocking his view of the television cameras. He told another reporter that she should have named her newborn daughter "Georgia W."
And at the end, when a reporter asked Bush what he had given his wife, Laura, for her birthday and for the couple's anniversary this week, the president would only flash a mischievous wink.