Bush faults Congress for soured economy

President Bush today called on Congress to implement measures that would help alleviate economic hardships for Americans, including rapidly escalating energy prices, mortgage prices and tuition bills. The president blasted congressional leaders for not taking up his proposals to improve the country’s economic conditions, namely increasing oil production in the United States and allowing state housing agencies to issue tax-free bonds to refinance subprime loans. “I ask Congress to do its part by sending me sensible and effective bills that I can sign, instead of issuing or sending bills that simply look like political statements,” the president said in his opening remarks at the White House rose garden press conference. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.,rejected President Bush’s claim that congressional leaders will not work with him to fix the economic troubles facing the nation. “Whether on energy policy, the housing crisis or our many other economic woes, this administration and its Republican allies in Congress offer nothing but the same failed ideas that got us into this mess in the first place,” Sen. Reid said in a statement.