( dpa ) - US President George W Bush defended the actions his administration has taken to bolster the lagging US economy amid a report Friday of a loss of jobs in February.
He conceded that economic activity was slowing and touted the economic stimulus package passed last month. The measure will start delivering tax rebates to individual taxpayers starting in May.
"We recognized the problem early," Bush said.
He said that the combination of the stimulus legislation and the rate-setting US Federal Reserve Board's sharp loosening of monetary policy would provide a "booster shot" to the economy.
Bush noted that business investment "remains solid."