Democratic Party lawmakers in the U.S. Congress expressed their continuing support for President Bush in the war on terrorism and pledged to work with him to meet the nation's economic challenges.

House of Representatives Minority Leader Richard Gephardt delivered the Democrats' response to Mr. Bush's State of the Union address.

He said there are two parties in Congress but one resolve, and he warned America's enemies that no violence, no threat, would divide the parties or divert them from their course: "to protect America and preserve our democracy."

Congressman Gephardt said Democrats want to work with the President and other Republicans to build the country's new economy and create jobs by investing in technology. But he made it clear that solidarity in fighting terrorism does not imply consensus on economic issues.

Mr. Gephardt called for mutual respect and trust as the two parties work to resolve their differences. He called for a simplification of the tax code and passage of campaign finance reform legislation "to clean up the political system and get big money out of politics." He cited the bankruptcy of the giant energy trading firm Enron, coupled with what he called paid political influence, as evidence of the need for reform.

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