WASHINGTON — President Bush, successful in forcing the Democratic Congress to bend to his will, complained Thursday that lawmakers had wasted time and taxpayers’ money. His aggressive stand set a confrontational tone for his final year in the White House.
Bush used a year-end news conference to scold lawmakers for stuffing 9,800 special-interest projects into a $550 billion spending measure. He directed his budget director to explore how to erase what Bush considers wasteful spending.
What began as a troubling year for Bush, facing a new, energetic Democratic Congress, ended in triumph for the president as frustrated Democrats nursed their losses. Democrats failed in their No. 1 objective to stop the war in Iraq and bowed to Bush and his veto threats on tax policies, energy legislation, children’s health insurance and general spending.
After months of bitter fights, Bush said the year was ending on a high note.
“It’s an antagonistic world from some people’s point of view,” the president said. “I try to make it less that way and to focus on high priorities.”
But that did not stop him from presenting a litany of complaints. Bush said he was disappointed that Congress had lumped government spending into a single 1,400-page omnibus bill.
“When Congress wastes so much time and leaves its work to the final days before Christmas, it is not a responsible way to run this government,” he said.
He also said Congress had not renewed a government-eavesdropping bill to combat terrorism and said that should be a first priority when lawmakers return in January. Another priority is to make sure Congress does not raise taxes, he said.
Democrats conceded Bush’s success.
“Next year, I hope the president will stop trying to block progress and work with Congress to deliver for the American people,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said.
The news conference covered a wide range of subjects. The president:
• Said the economy is strong but left open the possibility of taking more aggressive steps to prevent a recession.
• Said he will continue to oppose global-warming initiatives that would hamper U.S. economic growth.
• Predicted that the GOP would win the White House in 2008 and regain seats in the House and Senate.
