Homeland security tops Bush agenda

President Bush said protecting the nation is his top priority.

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BUSH AGENDA With control of both houses of Congress, President Bush has a better chance of implementing his agenda. Among his top priorities: Department of Homeland Security : Despite agreement on most of the issues for merging 22 agencies into a homeland security agency, the legislation has been hung up over the labor rights of its 170,000 employees. Democrats say workers should maintain collective bargaining rights. Bush insists he needs the flexibility to fire, demote or transfer workers for national security reasons. Economic package : The economic plan would make the president?s 10-year $1.35 trillion tax cut permanent. A friendlier Congress could add more tax cuts. Terrorism insurance : Bush has proposed a $100 billion measure to cover insurers? losses in any future terrorist attack. The insurance industry, building owners and developers back the bill. Judicial appointments: Bush has proposed a streamlined process, asking the Senate to hold a hearing on each judicial nominee within 90 days and to accept or reject the president?s choice within 180 days. Energy bill : The White House proposes a mandate that would increas the amount of gasoline with ethanol to reduce air pollution and lessen the nation?s dependence on foreign oil. Bush also hopes to open an Alaskan wildlife refuge to oil drilling.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- With Republicans returning to power in Congress, President Bush Thursday promised new measures to jump-start a stalling economy next year and called for the swift creation of a Cabinet-level homeland security department.

Although Tuesday's midterm elections won't give Republicans control of the Senate and extend the GOP's margin in the House until January, Bush said there is much Congress can do when it reconvenes later this month for a lame-duck session.

Bush said he wants to see a disciplined budget and a terrorism insurance bill on his desk, but he made it clear his proposed homeland security agency should be top priority.

"It's imperative that the Congress send me a bill that I can sign before the 107th Congress ends," Bush said.

In his first wide-ranging news conference since July, Bush downplayed talk of a mandate from Tuesday's elections, crediting Republican candidates rather than his own campaign efforts for the GOP wins.

Bush said he wants to see the Senate go along with the new system of confirming federal judges he has outlined and said he would try to spur economic growth in the next Congress.

"The economy has come out of a recession and is growing, but I'm not satisfied because I know we can do better. We must have an economy to grow at a faster and stronger pace so Americans can find a job," he said.

Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Massachusetts, said Democrats still disagree with Republicans on many issues but that "we want to look to the future."

"We have strong principles which we are committed to, and we want to try and work through those in a very close and balanced Senate," he told CNN after Bush's news conference.

Bush also said that if he seeks a second term in 2004, he would keep Vice President Dick Cheney on the ticket.

"He's done an excellent job," Bush said. "I appreciate his advice. I appreciate his counsel. I appreciate his friendship. He is a superb vice president, and there's no reason for me to change."

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