MS. PERINO: Good afternoon. I have a short opening statement for you.

As you know, the Senate this week is considering two urgent needs. One is legislation to bolster economic growth, and then also critical legislation to reauthorize the Protect America Act. It's now been a week since the House passed a bipartisan economic growth package that would give our economy the boost it needs to deal with the challenges that our economy is facing. And while we understand that senators want to put their own "brand" on the growth package, we hope they will not treat this as a partisan exercise. We call on Congress to pass legislation quickly and get it to the President's desk. Americans are expecting action, and every day we wait will delay delivery and relief to businesses and taxpayers -- and to give them the certainty that they need.

With respect to the Protect America Act, the President signed an extension of that act last Thursday; this was a short-term extension that lasts until February 15th. The President called for long-term legislation that keeps in place the tools our intelligence community needs and liability protection for those believed to have assisted in efforts to protect our nation after the September 11th attacks. While not perfect, the Senate Intelligence Committee gave near unanimous bipartisan approval to that legislation; it largely meets the goals that the President called for. Our intelligence community needs the certainty of long-term legislation so they can count on having the critical tools provided by the Protect America Act. We call on them to do this before the next recess. As I said, it expires on February 15th.

Also, a little bit later this afternoon the administration will be announcing sanctions against individuals and companies involved in Than Shwe's military junta in Burma -- expect that sort of mid-afternoon.

seen at 12:22, 5 February in Whitehouse Press Briefings. Email this to a friend.
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