Ford Administration Minutes of the Cabinet Meeting

THE WHITE HOUSE GERALD WASHINGTON R. FORD MINUTES OF THE CABINET MEETING May 7, 1975 LIBRARY The Sequoia The President convened the meeting at 8:22 p.m. He introduced the Acting Secretaries of Interior and HEW, Messrs. Kent Frizzell and Stephen Kurzman, respectively. The President then asked Jack Marsh to report on the activities to date of the 94th Congress. Mr. Marsh noted that the problems of a 2 to 1 Democratic majority and the emergence of the caucus compounded the usual difficulties of Executive/Congressional relations. These problems included the existence of a large, organized freshman Democratic class. Marsh noted that all of the above factors had had a significant impact on the leadership and on committee chairmen. Mr. Marsh pointed out a secondary impact on the membership generally of Congress. Some members intimidate other members. He characterized the Congress as having a negative reaction to the President's program, while not being able to produce programs of its own. He further characterized it as being irresponsible in foreign and fiscal affairs. The Republicans, he noted, although their numbers are small are our Congressional base. We should not neglect that base. However, each of the Members now places a relatively high value on his own support; they want a role in policy. Marsh then turned to the subject of the veto. The purpose of the veto is not to put the Executive Branch into a negative posture. The veto should be used as a tool to modify policies, to achieve the policies of the Administration, to change policy and to develop public support. He urged the Cabinet members to step up their contacts on the Hill. Cabinet members should use various methods in order to maintain contact with the Congress. This includes using SubCabinet officers. He suggested the need to contact all members of Congress prior to the Memorial Day recess. This would include meetings with members of the SubCabinet. They should be informed they are being given a courtesy call. In discussions three points should be stressed, first, the status of departmental activities; secondly, a discussion of the President's energy program; and thirdly, the no new spending program policy. As an example, the activities in the consumer legislation area, which will be discussed later by Jim Cannon, had not been good and illustrated clearly a need for coordination to support the President's vetoes. He requested that a report be made to Max Friedersdorf's office on the extent to which Members had been contacted by Cabinet officers.