For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
February 20, 2001
Remarks by the President at Tax Family Event
Kirkwood Community Center St. Louis, Missouri
Listen to the President's Remarks
5:50 P.M. CST
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much.
Before I have a chance to say hello to you all and watch the Mighty
Mights skate, I want to talk a little bit -- some public
policy. Today I was in St. Louis talking about
education. There is no more important subject as far as I'm
concerned, to make sure every child is educated. I know the
Yahngs feel the same way.
But I also want to talk about the budget, the
budget of the United States government, and the budget of the people of
the United States.
I'm going to submit a budget next week to the
United States Congress. It is a budget that will set priorities, just
like each family does in America -- set priorities. My
priorities will make sure that we preserve and protect and strengthen
Social Security, so that there's a Social Security system available for
the Yahngs and their children, and for you, as well.
A priority in my budget will be to make sure
that health care system in America is strong, for the elderly, for the
uninsured, and for all of us concerned about health. A
priority will be public education. Today I talked about a
reading initiative which goal is to make sure the children can read by
the 3rd grade. I can't think of a better
priority. By the way, I also understand that local control
of schools is the best way to achieve that priority.
Last week I spent time touring military
bases. The defense of our nation is a priority, and in my
budget I will submit, amongst other things, a pay raise for the men and
women who wear the uniform. Restoring morale in the military
not only means better pay, better housing, better health care, it also
means having a commander in chief who will clarify the
mission. The mission of the United States military to have a
fighting forces trained and prepared to fight war, and therefore,
prevent war from happening in the first place.
A priority of mine in my budget will be paying
down national debt. And yet, after setting priorities, there's still
money left over. And so while we're concerned about the
federal budget, I'm also concerned about the budget of people such as
the Yahngs, who are here standing next to me.
I think it makes sense to understand who pays
the bills. I think it makes sense to understand who fills
the coffers of the United States, and it's the working
people. (Applause.) And so I'm going to ask
Congress to pass a tax relief package, recognizing that we can meet
priorities, but also help families meet their own priorities.
I'm deeply concerned about the high cost of
energy. American families are paying more and more for
energy these days. I'm concerned about consumer
debt. There's a lot of discussion about national debt, and
that's a concern. But I'm also concerned that a lot of
working folks have got their own debt, and it seems wise to set
priorities at the national level, and get people their own money so
they can meet their own obligations, to meet their own debts.
I'm asking Congress to pass $1.6 trillion in
tax relief, after we've met priorities. That's over a
10-year period of time. It's a fair plan. It's a plan that
says, as opposed to pick and choose who the winners are, that everybody
who pays taxes ought to get tax relief. It is a plan that
significantly reduces taxes for people at the bottom end of the
economic ladder. If you're a family of four making $35,000,
you'll receive 100 percent tax cut. It's an average tax
relief for families of $1,600. The Yahng family under the
plan I submit will receive actually more than that. They now pay
$2,000 in taxes to the federal government. If this plan is
enacted by the United States Congress, they'll end up paying $150 of
taxes. (Applause.) That's $1,850 more that they can decide
what to do with.
It's your money. It will give you a
chance to set your priorities for your family. It says that
we in the federal government have a fundamental trust in the people of
America, and that's where our faith should be -- in the
people. The best government is that which trusts America,
and there's no better way to make that trust explicit than to share
your money with you.
I want to drop all rates and simplify the
code. The reason this family will receive the tax relief
they're going to get is because we've dropped the bottom rate from 15
percent to 10 percent, and doubled the child credit from $500 to $1,000
per child. (Applause.)
As well, I'm going to ask Congress to provide
relief from the marriage tax. Our tax code ought to
encourage family, ought to recognize marriage as a sacred
institution. (Applause.) And I think we ought to
listen to the voices of the farmers and small business people and
eliminate the death tax, so that those who struggle -- (applause.)
This is a plan that's going to require the
people to speak up. It's the beginning of trips around our
great nation where I'm going to make my case, not to the folks in
Congress or in Washington, D.C., but to the American
people. I have an awesome responsibility to be the President
of everyone. I assume that responsibility, and I'm going to
be the President of everyone. And I believe this tax relief
plan is fair for everyone who pays taxes in America. It is
the right thing to do at this point in our history.
It also makes economic sense. I am
concerned about our economy. I'm concerned about its -- that
we've lost some wind in our sails. I believe good monetary
policy, combined with good fiscal policy, will provide a needed second
wind to economic growth. We must keep the pie growing, so
that people who want to work can find a job, people who want to dream
are able to realize their dreams in the entrepreneurial -- as a small
business person or as an entrepreneur.
One of the great strengths of America is the
entrepreneurial spirit of our country. Any President and the
Congress must do everything in our power to create an environment where
the entrepreneur can flourish, where people can realize their
dreams. America is a land based upon dreams. It's a land
where people should aim high, and the tax code ought to encourage
capital formation and economic growth.
But most of all, America is made up of fine,
decent, honorable citizens, citizens who work hard every day to provide
for their families -- just like my friends here -- citizens who, once
the nation meets our priorities, ought to keep their own money, so you
can spend, and you can save, and you can dream. (Applause.)
I'm so thankful that you all
came. I really appreciate you all standing up here today
with me. I'm pinching myself every day.
(Laughter.) It is an unimaginable honor to represent the
great people of this country. It's the greatest country on
the face of the Earth, and all my public policy will be designed to
keep it great and to invigorate our people.
Thank you for coming and God bless.
END 6:00
P.M. CST
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