Briefly in the news

-- Paul Clinton

President Bush and Rep. Chris Cox agreed to work toward passing an

economic security bill by the end of the year in a Tuesday evening

meeting at the White House.

Bush and the Newport Beach representative both support granting

businesses “moderate tax relief” as a way to stimulate a slumping economy

and encourage the rehiring of laid-off workers.

“Putting Americans back to work is of vital importance to winning the

war on terrorism,” Cox said in a news release.

The meeting between the two men took place in the family residence

quarters of the White House. It lasted for 90 minutes. The two also

discussed the progress of the war in Afghanistan.

As chairman of the House Policy Committee, Cox is the fifth highest

ranking member of the legislative body.