WASHINGTON >> President Bush held a luncheon yesterday for lawmakers to celebrate "our 100 days of working together" that attracted fewer than half the members of Congress. Abercrombie, Inouye join
White House luncheonAssociated Press
Later on his 101st day in office, Bush sent 24 nominations to the Senate, including his choices for important vacancies at the Federal Communications Commission and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
In all, 193 of 535 members of the House and Senate joined Bush for the lunch, an event he hopes to turn into a tradition. About 50 Democrats showed up, but without their two top leaders, Sen. Tom Daschle of South Dakota and Rep. Dick Gephardt of Missouri.
The White House said many of the absent members either had schedule conflicts or were traveling back to Washington after spending the weekend in their home states.
Bush chatted at length in the Rose Garden with Rep. Neil Abercrombie, D-Hawaii -- and briefly checked out the contents of a green shopping bag Abercrombie toted -- while other members sipped fruit juice from crystal glasses and mingled among Cabinet secretaries.
"Oh, I know we always don't agree," Bush said. "But we're beginning to get a spirit here in Washington where we're more agreeable."
Later, Bush took a seat between Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., and House Majority Leader Dick Armey, R-Texas, and ate lunch with a group that included Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii.