Bush Press Conference February 28

Guide Note

President George W. Bush held a press conference on February 28, 2008, to urge congress to pass an intelligence bill that would make it easier for the government to access the phone calls and e-mails of suspected terrorists and allow the telecom companies who provide this information to the government to escape impunity.

Fast Facts

1. Location: The White House press briefing room
2. Time: 10:05 a.m. EST Thursday, February 28
3. A temporary intelligence bill that provided immunity to telecoms that helped the government had expired
4. Telecom companies are facing 40 lawsuits for providing private information to the government

1. Bush acknowledged an economic "slowdown," but denied that the United States was heading toward a recession
2. The upcoming tax rebates to Americans
3. President Bush asked for support for his Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief
4. Bush confirmed that he had no plans to meet with the newly appointed leader of Cuba, Raul Castro