For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
March 23, 2001
Remarks by the President in Q&A; with the Travel Pool
Salvation Army Senior Center Portland, Maine
11:10 A.M. EST
Q In response to the
fact that the Russians responded in kind --
THE PRESIDENT: They can make
whatever decisions they deem necessary. Our country took
the right course of action.
Q What message does it
send, though, do you think?
THE PRESIDENT: It says that we will
be firm and consistent in our foreign policy.
* * * * *
Q One more question,
Mr. President.
THE PRESIDENT: Same subject?
Q No, on tax
cuts. Even if, with retroactivity, the size of the package
were to get bigger than $1.6 trillion, is it worth while, if it
provides more money for people up front during this slowing economy?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think we can
accelerate tax relief, we should accelerate tax relief, and keep the
size of the tax relief package at the same level. I'm
confident we can do both. And I've told those who think it
ought to be smaller and those who think it ought to be bigger that it
ought to be $1.6 trillion.
The key thing is to make sure that we have tax
relief that's meaningful, and to get as much money in the people's
pockets as quickly as possible to provide a stimulus package.
Q But how do you do
both?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, that's what
we're going to work with the Congress on, is to make sure that we come
with a size of the package that fits into the budget and at the same
time, get money into people's pockets as quickly as
possible. There are ways to do that. You could
delay one aspect of the total tax relief package for one year, for
example. I mean, there are ways to get it
done. The key thing is that good people are coming together
to try to effect good sound fiscal policy and to stimulate the
economy.
Q So, Mr. President, if
something like what Senator Domenici has proposed happened there would
be some give elsewhere to keep it within the $1.6 trillion?
THE PRESIDENT: I think we ought to
work to keep it within the $1.6 trillion. I've sent that
message. I hear members of Congress saying, now we have the
opportunity to load up the tax relief package for different projects,
and my message is, keep it at $1.6 trillion. There are
others who, of course, want to diminish it as well. And my
answer to them is, let's keep it at $1.6 trillion.
Q Would you oppose
anything like a rebate that brought it above $1.6 trillion?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, we're working
with the Congress to keep it within the bounds of $1.6
trillion. I saw what Senator Domenici said -- he
was talking about accelerating by about $40 billion. Well,
that's a rounding number when you're talking in terms of trillions.
Q If campaign financial
legislation that banned soft money from individuals and that did not
include paycheck protection in labor unions reach your desk, would you
veto it?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, I'm watching
the debate very carefully. My message is I would like a bill
to sign and I want all parties involved in the debate to know that I'm
anxious to sign a bill, I look forward to a bill, and am confident that
they will be able to come up with a bill that I
can sign.
Q -- any one position?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, let me put it
to you this way. I would -- I believe they can come up with
a reform that will meet the parameters that I've laid out that I can
sign.
Q Mr. President, are
you worried about this tit-for-tat with the Russians and that it could
get out of hand and hurt U.S.-Russian relations?
THE PRESIDENT: No, I believe we can
have good, strong relations with the Russians. They'll just
understand my administration is one that takes firm positions when we
think we're right. That doesn't preclude the ability for Mr.
Putin and me, for example, to meet at some point in time and have a
good, honest discussion about common interests, areas where we can work
together, and be able to discuss our disagreements in an open and
honest way.
Q Are you unalterably
opposed to the idea of some kind of midterm review? I know
you don't like the word, trigger, but anything that takes a
look to see whether surpluses really materialize?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, it depends on
what it is. There's a lot of ideas now being floated out in
the Congress and I'm open-minded to any good
idea. And I'll listen to what different members have to
say. The key thing is that we have meaningful, real tax
relief, where everybody who pays
taxes gets relief, and where, to the best extent possible, accelerate
the tax relief to get money in people's pockets to serve as a stimulus
to the economy.
Q So a trigger is not
out of the question?
THE PRESIDENT: Again, any
suggestion that people give I'm willing to listen
to. Obviously, one of my concerns is that a tax relief
package be undone because Congress wasn't fiscally responsible in its
spending. I won't support a measure that says to Congress,
spend all the money you want
and, therefore, diminish the tax relief plan that we've gotten passed
for the people. Because one way is to make sure that the
surpluses don't exist
is if Congress isn't fiscally responsible with the people's money.
Q -- speak to President
Putin before you have a face-to-face meeting in June?
THE
PRESIDENT: Maybe. I'm not sure yet.
Q Maine's education --
worried that your plan for a national testing --
THE PRESIDENT: I'm going to address
that today. I appreciate you asking that
question. The Governor is here somewhere -- the Governor and
I
talked about that. Maine has got a very strong
accountability system. And it has enabled the public elected
officials to address problems. When I talk about
accountability systems, I talk about those developed by states
and local jurisdictions. And Maine is a perfect example.
One of the reasons I've come to this state is,
not only is it a special spot in my heart because of an address down
the road here, but this
is a state where accountability in education go hand in
hand. And in no way, shape, or form, would I want federal
policy to undermine the good work
that Governor King and others in Maine have done.
So when I talk about local accountability and
a willingness to set standards, I think of places like Texas and a
place like Maine.
GOVERNOR KING: We've been doing
testing in the 4th, 8th and 11th grade in Maine since
1986. We published the results on the Internet by school, by
school district, and it's accountability with a capital A.
THE PRESIDENT: Yes. I
know there's -- I'm aware that there was some consternation about
proposals that I'm working with both Republican and Democrats on in the
Congress. People have got to remember I was a governor
and I wasn't particularly happy when the federal government began to
tell us what to do, particularly when it came to educating our
children. And consistent in the plans that I'm working with
the Congress on is that philosophy that we trust the local
people. And the people of Maine have been very fortunate to
have a Governor of this caliber to look after the public education
system here.
And as the Governor will tell you, the whole
basis of reform is strong
accountability, because you don't know whether --unless you
measure. You don't know whether children are
learning. And, anyway, I'd better save some of the remarks
for the speech. That way you'll pay attention.
GOVERNOR KING: I've got a motto for
you, Mr. President: Does it work, and how do you know?
THE PRESIDENT: There you
go. I may copy it.
Anybody hungry? You look like a man
who could use a meal. (Laughter.)
END
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