Transcript of Reuters interview with President Bush

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Reuters' Steve Holland had a one-on-one interview with President George W. Bush aboard Air Force One from Waco, Texas, to Washington, on Monday, May 21. Following is the transcript:

Q: The immigration debate started today. What do you -- Newt Gingrich was out there this weekend saying that it's a sell out to the conservatives. How are you going to navigate between these competing --

THE PRESIDENT: There's no question this is an emotional debate. But people have to realize that in order to have border security, you must have a comprehensive approach to immigration reform.

What's interesting about this approach, that we worked with both Republicans and Democrats on, is that it takes the view that there has to be certain triggers before the reforms kick in; certain things have to happen along the border before reforms kick in. This is one of the lessons learned from the 1986 bill.

Secondly, that it is a realistic approach, and basically says there are people doing jobs here that Americans aren't doing, and we ought to give them a chance to do so in a verifiable way.

Thirdly, it recognizes that there must be a rational path forward for those who have been here illegally And if people would study the bill they would find that there are consequences for people having been here illegally, and, at the same time, there is a way for them to get at the back of the citizenship line.

And so this is a way to approach this issue, without amnesty, but also treats people with respect. And there's no doubt that this is a very emotional issue for people. But what the White House needs to do is to work with both Republicans and Democrats and move the bill forward, and ask people to actually look at it before they opine; study the bill.

Q: Is it the kind of bill that you can have major changes to either way, or --

THE PRESIDENT: I think that which was crafted, it was a very serious effort to bridge a wide gulf that had existed in the Senate. And, therefore, our position is, is that this bill ought to -- the bill that comes out of the Senate ought to track very closely the agreement made between Democrats and Republicans.

Q: The Iraq funding bill seems to have been stymied a bit on Friday. What happens now?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, we just need to watch and see. There is a way forward, there's a compromise to be had. My hope is that the Democrat leader sees it. I don't support timetables, artificial timetables. But I do support benchmarks with consequences. And Josh is going to work very closely with the leadership to see if we can't reach an agreement.

Q: What kind of --

THE PRESIDENT: We hope that the Democrat leaders would seize it. I would hope that they work not only with the White House, but with the Republican members of the Congress.

Q: What kind of consequences are acceptable?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, that's what Josh will be negotiating with the members.

Q: And no dates for certain progress to be met?