Bush blasts Congress on spending; demands 'fiscal restraint'

Echoing a refrain heard Tuesday when he rejected $5.1 billion in emergency spending sent to him by Congress, President Bush sent word Wednesday that overloading appropriations bills will be tantamount to an attack on the economy.

"Excessive spending will serve as a drag on economic growth," Bush said at a speech in Milwaukee. "I am not-I am not-going to allow Congress to pressure me to spend money that I don't think is needed. For the good of the economy, we must show fiscal restraint."

The president is on the first leg of a three-state journey in which he plans to tout themes he developed Tuesday at his economic forum in Waco, Texas.

As he did Tuesday, Bush promoted his own agenda. And while careful to express understanding of the economy's continuing problems and concern for laid-off workers, he also offered long-term optimism. Wages are rising, taxes are lower, and consumer spending is still strong, he said.

The president blamed growing deficits on the recession and new spending to fight the war on terrorism-omitting reference to the tax cut, which some Democrats are flagging as the chief culprit.

Bush promised to "work immediately" to add to the fiscal 2003 appropriations bills portions of the $5.1 billion related to spending on AIDS prevention and the Middle East. He called on the House and the Senate to agree "quickly" on a Defense spending bill when they return in September.

Bush also reiterated his vow to push for a Homeland Security Department that gives the new secretary flexibility with regard to employment matters.

"We will reject any plan that has got a thick book of bureaucratic rules all aimed at protecting special interests," he said.