President Calls for Progress on Homeland Security, Corporate Responsibility and Trade
The Cabinet Room
2:55 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Today, I've had the honor of talking to members of
the United States Congress -- these good folks happen to be
Democrats -- about how to leave behind a legacy of a more secure
America. We're talking about an incredibly important piece of
legislation that will be voted on this Friday. It's legislation to
create a Department of Homeland Security; it's really a piece of
legislation to make America a safer place.
And I want to thank the leaders who are here for their willingness
to put partisanship aside and focus on what's best for the American
people. I believe we're going to get a good bill on Friday out of the
House. I ask the Senate to vote on the bill before they go home for
their August vacation.
Secondly, we're making progress on a piece of legislation which
will enable us to say that we passed laws to help protect investors,
401(k) stockholders, from corporate fraud. This government, this
government will investigate, will arrest, and will prosecute corporate
executives who break the law. And the Justice Department took action
today.
And, finally, I am hopeful that after a lot of work, we can get a trade bill up on the floor of the House and the floor of the Senate
before they go home for August, as well. This is an important part of
a legislative package necessary to help create jobs and keep the
economy going.
Today was a day of action and a day of accomplishment in
Washington, D.C. And I want to thank the members for that.