THE WEEK.

UNITED States politics & government, 2001-2009; BUSH, George W. (George Walker), 1946-; POLITICAL campaigns; ENERGY shortages; UNITED States International Trade Commission; STEEL industry; MILITARY budgets

The article presents news briefs related to social and political developments in the United States. It is reported that President George W. Bush made his first visit to California since the presidential campaign this one pitting him against possible 2004 rival Gray Davis on the issue of the California energy crisis. President Bush has asked the International Trade Commission, a U.S. federal agency, to investigate whether the steel industry deserves protection from imports. It is reported that the U.S. administration's defense supplemental spending bill for 2001 will address the most dire readiness problems, such as spare parts and fuel for planes.