US President George W. Bush has defended his emphasis on ethanol despite the corn-based biofuel's contribution to increasing food prices.

Bush made the comment at a question-and-answer session with employees of a high-tech manufacturer on Friday saying, "As you know, I'm an ethanol person. It makes sense for America to be growing energy."

Bush has been promoting the use of ethanol, which is largely made from corn, to alleviate the nation's shortage of domestically produced energy; however, critics have focused on the new demand for corn as a factor in driving up food prices.

He acknowledged that ethanol has contributed to higher food prices, but said it was not the main reason.

Regarding the loss of 20,000 payroll jobs in April and the four-month downward employment trend after 52 months of growth, Bush said the report was 'a sign that this economy is not as robust as any of us would like it' but added that the economic stimulus program, which is just now sending rebates to taxpayers, 'hasn't really kicked in yet.'

He also rapped Congress for blocking his initiatives, which include a stalled free trade agreement with Colombia, his plan to open Alaska lands and coastal waters to oil and gas exploration and his proposal to overhaul the government's mortgage program.

Bush also blamed Congress for blocking efforts to allow Arctic National Wildlife Refuge drilling saying, 'If Congress is truly interested in helping relieve the price of gasoline,' it would recognize that the country needs to drill for oil and gas in areas that have been off-limits mostly for environmental reasons and would encourage the construction of oil refineries.

NA/GM