Bush Themes Topic of GOP Radio Address

WASHINGTON —  Echoing the campaign themes of President-elect George W. Bush, Senate Republican leader Trent Lott on Saturday outlined education, national defense and tax relief as priorities for the GOP in the new Congress.

“These are three action items which this new Congress--working in concert with our new president--will take to broaden individual opportunity, promote personal prosperity and foster security for all Americans,” Lott said in the Republicans’ weekly radio address.

First, he said, the party wants to ensure that every child has a chance to learn, and to make schools accountable to parents. “And if their children are not learning, we will provide parents the opportunity to do something about it.”

Bush supports a plan to strip federal funds from the worst-performing schools and make the money available to parents for private education or tutoring, commonly known as a voucher program.

Second, Lott said, military readiness should include a missile shield system to protect the United States from nuclear attack.

An across-the-board tax cut to help continue growth in the economy also is a priority for Republicans, Lott said in his third point. He did not mention how large it should be.

Bush has a 10-year, $1.3-trillion tax relief proposal.