Bush to hold news conference at 10:05 a.m. EST

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush will hold a news conference on Thursday at 10:05 a.m. EST, the White House said.

White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said Bush would ask lawmakers in the House of Representatives to pass legislation that would retroactively shield phone companies for participating in a warrantless wiretap program.

Perino said Bush would also talk about the need for funding troops in Iraq and he would urge Congress to quickly pass legislation to help homeowners avoid foreclosure.

(Reporting by Deborah Charles, editing by Vicki Allen)