For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
January 24, 2001
Remarks by the President Before Coffee with Bipartisan Congressional Leadership
The Cabinet Room
9:25 A.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: I'm honored to host the leaders of the Senate and
the
House. I want to thank you all for coming. I really, really
appreciate
it. This is the sixth meeting I've had with legislators since
I've been
sworn in. It is a habit I intend to keep, because I understand
the best
way to advance an agenda for the country is to work together.
I hope people are now beginning to realize that when I said the
Executive Branch is willing to work with the Legislative Branch and do
what's right for the country, it's not hollow words, it's what I
believe we
need to do.
Expectations are that we can't come together to get things done.
Our
mission is to exceed the expectations. So I want to thank you all
so much
for coming. We're going to have a frank dialogue about a lot of
issues,
and I'm going to start by reminding that we know the difference between
the
Executive Branch and the Legislative Branch, but I do believe the
President
and the Vice President can play a part, a strong part, in helping
advance
an American agenda.
So thanks for coming. I'd be glad to answer a few questions.
Q Sir, I'm wondering about the Ashcroft confirmations.
There seems
to be little question that he's going to be confirmed, and yet there's
this
one week delay. I'm wondering, what do you think Democrats are
doing?
THE PRESIDENT: I think they're making sure that when they confirm
him
all questions have been answered.
Q Sir, where is the common ground on the issues that
really divide
the two sides, specifically the size of your tax cut and on school
vouchers? How can you possibly reach agreement on those two
issues?
THE PRESIDENT: We'll just have to see. That's part of what
a
dialogue is all about. I think that it's important for me to
explain my
position. It's important for me to hear other's positions.
It's important
for me to understand where there's resistance, and why. But it
all happens
with good, honest discussion, a frank discussion about positions.
I look forward to explain to any member that's concerned about tax
relief and why, why I proposed it. And I think the evidence is
going to
become more and more clear that the economy is -- it's not as hopeful
as
we'd like, which I hope will strengthen my case.
Q Mr. President, you talked about frank and honest
discussions.
Are you willing to give on either one of those issues, or is there a --
THE PRESIDENT: Well I'm certainly not willing to negotiate with
myself. (Laughter.) Particularly in your column.
(Laughter.)
Q You talked about bipartisanship, sir, but you've also
issued
legislation or legislative proposals prior to meeting with the
Democrats to
work on negotiations. Does that imply that you want them to just
take your
positions and pass them?
THE PRESIDENT: It is in recognition of what a presidential
campaign
is all about. I don't believe Dick and I would be sitting here
had we not
taken strong positions on key issues. And I told the American
people if I
had the honor of being the President, I would submit those positions I
was
campaigning on to the Legislative Branch, and that's exactly what I've
done.
So if you look at the education proposals we submitted to the
Congress, those are based on what I campaigned on. That's exactly
what I
told the people I would do, and that's what I'm here to remind the
members
of the Congress. That's what I am going to do. And I can't
wait to have
an honest discussion about education, for example, the cornerstone of
which
is strong accountability.
And I'm going to make the case here and I'll continue to make the case
to anybody who will listen that in order to make sure every child is
educated -- I mean every child -- we must measure -- we must understand
whether or not children are learning. Because the likelihood of
poor
children being shuffled through the system is increased if we don't
measure.
And I hope we can find people -- I hope people will listen,
because I
feel passionately on the subject.
Q Sir, would you be -- a proposal that didn't include --
THE PRESIDENT: John, it's a pleasure. One question per
session.
END 9:29 A.M. EST
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