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Bush: Housing deal possible with `less politics‘
Staff and agencies
By BEN FELLER, Associated Press Writer 11 minutes ago
NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - President Bush expressed confidence Tuesday he will reach a deal with Congress on a housing-rescue plan, but only if lawmakers show "less politics."
"I think we can get us a bill," Bush said. "But it‘s going to require less politics and more focus on keeping our minds on who we need to help, and that‘s the homeowner."
Senate leaders hope to get back to the bill after their weeklong break; it has been snagged over an unrelated dispute about tax breaks for renewable energy.
Bush also sounded an upbeat tone about the slumping economy.
The House has already passed a housing plan, so differences with the proposed Senate version would have to be reconciled before a bill could get to Bush. Lawmakers have been negotiating behind the scenes with the Bush administration to avert a veto.
The combination of weak housing sales, falling home values, tighter lending and the weak economy has forced many strapped homeowners into foreclosure. Many can‘t find buyers, or they owe more than their home is worth and can‘t get refinanced into an affordable loan.
Bush made his quick stop at the nonprofit housing agency in between two fundraisers.
In Mississippi, Bush led a closed fundraiser for Sen. Roger Wicker, the former congressman who was appointed to Trent Lott‘s vacated seat. Wicker is competing in a Nov. 4 election against Democrat Ronnie Musgrove to fill the remaining four years of Lott‘s term.
Wicker was among the Republicans who bucked Bush in this election year by voting for the farm bill. The president said the massive $290 billion bill was bloated with spending, including farmer subsidies. He vetoed the measure, but Congress overrode him.
On his way out of Little Rock, Bush had his motorcade stop unexpectedly. He hopped out of his limousine to join a young girl‘s birthday party outside, delighting the surprised neighborhood as he posed for pictures.
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