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working on come to fruition, that it’s got to and expert witness services provided to or be a bipartisan bill that is—is that bill our on behalf of the United States, it is the policy Secretaries are working on with members of the United States that organizations or in- from both parties in the Senate. Hopefully, dividuals that provide such services to or on that bill can get to the floor as quickly as behalf of the United States shall be com- possible, and hopefully we can get a positive pensated in amounts that are reasonable, not vote so we can get the bill over to the House contingent upon the outcome of litigation or of Representatives. other proceedings, and established according But there is a good chance. I’m optimistic to criteria set in advance of performance of that we can get comprehensive immigration the services, except when otherwise required reform, one, that enforces our borders; two, by law. holds employers to account; three, recog- Sec. 2. Duties of Agency Heads. (a) Heads nizes we’ve got workers here who are doing of agencies shall implement within their re- jobs Americans aren’t doing, and they ought spective agencies the policy set forth in sec- to have a—there ought to be a temporary- tion 1, consistent with such instructions as worker permit to do so; four, to make sure the Attorney General may prescribe. that we treat people who are here already (b) After the date of this order, no agency with respect and dignity, without amnesty, shall enter into a contingency fee agreement without animosity; and, five, to continue the for legal or expert witness services addressed assimilation program so necessary to make by section 1 of this order, unless the Attorney sure our country continues to move forward General has determined that the agency’s in an optimistic way. entry into the agreement is required by law. And so I want to thank you all for sharing (c) Within 90 days after the date of this with me your stories. I appreciate the fact order, the head of each agency shall notify that you’re deeply concerned about uphold- the Attorney General and the Director of the ing the law. I thank you for sharing with me Office of Management and Budget of any your desires to see that Congress get a com- contingency fee agreements for services ad- prehensive immigration bill done soon. And dressed by section 1 of this order that are I assure you that the White House, along in effect as of the date of this order. with decent, honorable Members of the Sen- Sec. 3. Definitions. For purposes of this ate, are working very hard to bring that bill order: to conclusion. (a) The term ‘‘agency’’ means an executive Thank you. agency as defined in section 105 of title 5, United States Code, and the United States NOTE: The President spoke at 11:35 a.m. at the Postal Service and the Postal Regulatory Embassy Suites Washington D.C.–Convention Commission, but shall exclude the Govern- Center. The Office of the Press Secretary also re- leased a Spanish language transcript of these re- ment Accountability Office and elements of marks. A portion of these remarks could not be the intelligence community (as defined in verified because the tape was incomplete. section 3(4) of the National Security Act of 1947 as amended (50 U.S.C. 401a(4)). (b) The term ‘‘contingency fee agreement’’ Executive Order 13433—Protecting means a contract or other agreement to pro- American Taxpayers From Payment vide services under which the amount or the of Contingency Fees payment of the fee for the services is contin- May 16, 2007 gent in whole or in part on the outcome of the matter for which the services were ob- By the authority vested in me as President tained. The term does not include: by the Constitution and the laws of the (i) qualified tax collection contracts de- United States of America, including section fined in section 6306 of title 26, 301 of title 3, United States Code, it is hereby United States Code, and ordered as follows: (ii) contracts described in sections 3711 Section 1. Policy. To help ensure the in- and 3718 of title 31, United States tegrity and effective supervision of the legal Code.

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Sec. 4. General Provisions. (a) This order ing Northern Ireland. And congratulations shall be implemented consistent with appli- for your leadership. cable law and subject to the availability of We talked about a lot of issues at dinner appropriations. and our meetings. We talked about, of (b) Nothing in this order shall be con- course, Iraq. As a matter of fact, the Prime strued to impair or otherwise affect: Minister and I have just finished a video con- (i) authority granted by law to an agency ference with our respective commanders and or the head thereof; or Ambassadors from Baghdad. We got a full (ii) functions of the Director of the Office briefing on the situation on the ground. I ap- of Management and Budget relating preciated Tony’s willingness to interface with to budget, administrative, or legisla- our people there. I remind our people that tive proposals. the best decisions are made when you listen (c) This order is not intended to, and does to the commanders. And our commanders not, create any right, benefit, or privilege, have got good, specific advice as how to substantive or procedural, enforceable at law achieve our objectives—which I believe we’ll or in equity by any party against the United achieve—objectives that I know are nec- States, its departments, agencies, instrumen- essary for peace—peace in the Middle East, talities, or entities, its officers or employees, peace in the United States, and the United or any other person. Kingdom. George W. Bush We talked about Afghanistan. We strongly The White House, support our NATO mission in Afghanistan, May 16, 2007. and I informed the Prime Minister that the Secretary General of NATO will be coming [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, to Crawford this weekend. I’m looking for- 8:45 a.m., May 17, 2007] ward to talking to him about how we can continue to work together. And I want to NOTE: This Executive order was published in the thank you for your strong commitment to the Federal Register on May 18. NATO mission and the people of Afghani- stan. The President’s News Conference We talked about the Middle East, and With Prime Minister Tony Blair of we’re concerned about the violence we see the United Kingdom in Gaza. We strongly urge the parties to work toward a two-state solution. I’m looking for- May 17, 2007 ward to continue to work on this issue. I’ve President Bush. Thank you. I’m pleased instructed my Secretary of State to be ac- to welcome Tony Blair back to the White tively engaged. She represents the position House. He is a good friend. He has led the of the Bush Government, which is two states British people for a long time, since 1797. living side by side in peace. We believe that [Laughter] vision is possible, but it requires strong lead- You know, I was sitting with Tony on the ership on both sides of the issue. Truman Balcony last night, and we were dis- The Prime Minister and I discussed the cussing a lot of issues. And it dawned on me, humanitarian needs of the Palestinian peo- once again, what a clear strategic thinker he ple. We recognized the deep humiliation that is. Somebody asked me the other day, how can come as a result of living in a land where would you define Tony Blair and your rela- you can’t move freely and where people can’t tionship with him? I said, first of all, it’s cor- realize dreams. We talked about the need to dial; it’s open; and I appreciate the fact that reject and fight terrorism. We understand he can see beyond the horizon. And that’s the fright that can come when you’re worried the kind of leadership the world needs. about a rocket landing on top of your home. I do congratulate the Prime Minister for I’m committed to peace in the Middle East, being a—when he gets on a subject, it’s dog- and I appreciate Tony Blair being a partner ged. Witness his patience and resolve regard- in peace.

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