En route aboard Air Force One, he phoned three senators to discuss how it could be revived: Sens. Ken Salazar, D-Colo.; Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., and Edward Kennedy, D-Mass.
"He thanked all of them for their leadership and their hard work. He underscored his commitment to getting the bill done soon," said deputy White House press secretary Dana Perino.
"I believe we can get it done," the president said before he left Bulgaria.
Senate Democratic leaders wrote Bush saying it was up to him to lean on Republicans to back the measure.
"It will take stronger leadership by you to ensure the opponents of the bill do not block the path to final passage," said Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., quoting the letter. Reid said he would be willing to bring immigration back to the Senate floor if he could be assured that enough Republicans would support the bill.
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