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[Radio Address Social Security] 9/24/99
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[Radio Address Social Security] 9/24/99
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FOIA Number: 2006-0462-F
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This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the William J. Clinton
Presidential Library Staff.
Collection/Record Group:
Clinton Presidential Records
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Speechwriting
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Terry Edmonds
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17509
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[Radio Address Social Security] 9/24/99
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Gattheimer
NEPRESIDENT AS AS SEE
9-24-99
Final 9/24/99 5pm
Terry Edmonds
PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON
RADIO ADDRESS ON SOCIAL SECURITY
SURPLUS
WASHINGTON, DC
September 24, 1999
Good morning. With only five days left in the
current fiscal year, Congress has a lot of work to do.
They must fulfill their fundamental obligation to the
American people by passing a budget that adequately
funds our national priorities without doing something we
all agreed we shouldn't and do not need to do: spend the
Social Security surplus instead of preserving it for debt
reduction. I have a budget that keeps this commitment
Forallment 7 years,
new
Vice President Gore and I have pursued an economic
strategy focused on fiscal discipline, expanded trade and
investment in our people. And it is working.
1
The results an clear:
In the past six-and-a-half years, it has produced lower
interest rates, the longest peacetime expansion in history,
more than 19 million new jobs, rising wages, the lowest
unemployment in a generation and record undert breaking levels
t welfare vius notes
The
wes, and a a sugure we
of home ownership) That means more money in your
paycheck, lower interest rates to buy a home or a car, and
more help through efforts like the Hope Scholarship to
send your children to college. We are on a solid path of
progress and prosperity and the American people want it
to continue.
Two days ago, I vetoed the Republicans' risky $792
billion tax plan, because it was too big, too bloated and
would place too big a burden on our economy. # Quient
are a day to SSTF or a dollar to MC, are
2
It would have forced cuts of nearly 50 percent in
ED to He to Eew to wets orgu to hase see
everything from/air traffic safety to education to
cut Air traffic Accepty
heatlhcare to veterans programs to national security.
* world have cuarel
They' ve created an untenable choice. On the one hand,
irresponsible cuts. On the other, diverting funds from the
Social Security surplus and debt reduction. We said we
shouldn't special touch the Social Security surplus, and today I
anymon
again
say to the Congressional majority we don't have to do
it.
of gove them a year to refered life of SSTF 50yrs, 50
extend are 25 awl PA counge, pay couse pay I in El
& other priorites, purries off taxacet, t still my Down
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^The Congressional majority continues on a track that
does not adequately fund our priorities, whilefspending already
twen Nal
eg acut of
the Social Security surplus instead of preserving it for
debt reduction.
3
Even their own Congressional Budget Office, is
warning that their plan risks spending Social Security
This our
<surpluses. One month ago, CBO estimated that they
would use $16 to $19 billion of the Social Security
surplus and steps taken since then have only made this
number go higher. They have bow wht WSJ, other colled
to give imprivon ward 1700 out of
Min air
At the same time they are not providing enough for
education and other vital priorities. In fact, the same day I
vetoed their budget-busting tax plan, they passed a bill out
of committee that would seriously undermine our efforts
to strengthen education. It would eliminate our effort to
hire quality teachers and reduce class size.
4
It would deny hundreds,of thousands of young people
WASHINGTON
access to after-school programs. It would eliminate our
inter
program get poor cle wiso college
mentoring and youth opportunities efforts. It fails to
improve and expand Head Start, cuts the successful
wh stf 1000 cell was new 8 you read
America Reads program and cuts educational technology
au relevarity I by 2000. Again is few plan to Ged a on None 6000 All
our affort to cours all
- all at a time when we need to be doing more, not less to
the cgt grong wence selved tr
prepare our children and our nation for the challenges of
the new global economy.
There is a better way. The Republicans should work
with us to create a budget that pays for itself with straight-
forward proposals like our tobacco policy.
5
They should work with us to create a real Social Security
lockbox that would devote the entire Social Security
surplus to debt reduction andextend the life of Social
Security until the middle of the next century. structly
their plan
Thursday, I asked the Republicans to work with me
on a bipartisan Medicare proposal that would modernize
Medicare, provide and voluntary prescription drug benefit
and keep it solvent until at least 2027. I was pleased that
following a meeting with my advisors, The Chairman of
the Senate Finance Committee, Bill Roth, has agreed to
engage in serious discussions with us on meaningful
Medicare reform.
WASHINGTON
THE WHITE HOUSE
6
I am reaching out to the Republicans to engage with
us on serious negotiations on strengthening Medicare for
artuco sala ou EQ, ss, pagg down Delh
the 21st century.AWe owe it to the American people to
give it our best effort.
Thanks for listening.
7
Draft 9/24/99 3:20pm
Terry Edmonds
PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON
RADIO ADDRESS ON SOCIAL SECURITY SURPLUS
WASHINGTON, DC
September 24, 1999
Good morning. With only five days left in the current fiscal year, Congress has a lot of
work to do. They must fulfill their fundamental obligation to the American people by passing a
budget that adequately funds our national priorities without doing something we all agreed we
wouldn't and shouldn't do: spend the Social Security surplus instead of preserving it for debt
reduction. Try as they might, the Republican majority is finding it virtually impossible to
provide the needed funds for education, health care and other vital areas within the framework of
their tax and budget plan. It is becoming increasingly clear - they simply can't do that without
spending the Social Security surplus.
Their budget would take us in the wrong direction. Vice President Gore and I have
pursued an economic strategy focused on fiscal discipline, expanded trade and investment in our
people. And it is working. In the past six-and-a-half years, it has produced lower interest rates,
the longest peacetime expansion in history, more than 19 million new jobs, rising wages, the
lowest unemployment in a generation and record-breaking levels of home ownership. That
means more money in your paycheck, lower interest rates to buy a home or a car, and more help
through efforts like the Hope Scholarship to send your children to college. We are on a solid
path of progress and prosperity and the American people want it to continue.
Two days ago, I vetoed the Republicans' risky $792 billion tax plan, because it was too
big, too bloated and would place too big a burden on our economy. It would have forced cuts of
nearly 50 percent in everything from air traffic safety to education to heatlhcare to veterans
programs. Without these untenable cuts, hundreds of billions of dollars would have to be
diverted from the Social Security lockbox and debt reduction. We said we shouldn't touch the
Social Security surplus, and today I say to the Congressional majority - we don't have to do it.
But so far, the Congressional majority has pursued a path that would force them to break
that pledge. In fact, the same day I vetoed their budget-busting tax plan, they passed a bill out of
committee that would not only seriously undermine our efforts to strengthen public education,
but would also result in the spending of the Social Security surplus. Their education budget
would eliminate our effort to hire quality teachers and reduce class size. It would deny hundreds
of thousands of young people access to after-school programs. It fails to improve and expand
Head Start, cuts the successful America Reads program and cuts educational technology - all at a
time when we need to be doing more, not less to prepare our children and our nation for the
challenges of the new global economy.
To find a way out the quandary they have created for themselves, the Congressional
majority has resorted to all kinds of gimmicks to claim they are not using the Social Security
surplus: declaring the annual census an emergency, declaring the program that provides heating
assistance for poor people an emergency, even though winter is an annual certainty, and
rescinding $3 billion in money promised to states to help them move more people from welfare
to work. [And with the Republican tax plan vetoed, they are putting forth other proposals that
would be paid for in only one way, by raiding the Social Security surplus. These gimmicks are
designed to mask one thing - that the Republican proposals would lead to backing away from
our commitment to Save Social Security First.
There is a way out of this quandary. I have proposed a fiscally responsible budget plan
that eliminates the debt, strengthens and modernizes Medicare, invests in education and saves
Social Security. My plan would create a real lockbox that, unlike the Republican plan would
devote the entire Social Security surplus to debt reduction and extend the life of Social Security
until the middle of the next century. My budget meets the needs of the American people, pays
for itself, and offers a far better alternative than the Republican path which leads straight to
spending the Social Security surplus.
/
Time is short. The fiscal year will end on Thursday. I urge Congress to stop the
gimmicks stop the smoke and mirrors. You can do the people's business, fund our national
priorities, without continuing down the path of draining the Social Security surplus.
Thanks for listening.
Draft 9/24/99 3:20pm
Terry Edmonds
PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON
RADIO ADDRESS ON SOCIAL SECURITY SURPLUS
WASHINGTON, DC
September 24, 1999
Good morning. With only five days left in the current fiscal year, Congress has a lot of
work to do. They must fulfill their fundamental obligation to the American people by passing a
budget that adequately funds our national priorities without doing something we all agreed we
wouldn't and shouldn't do: spend the Social Security surplus instead of preserving it for debt
reduction. Try as they might, the Republican majority is finding it virtually impossible to
provide the needed funds for education, health care and other vital areas within the framework of
their tax and budget plan. It is becoming increasingly clear - they simply can't do that without
spending the Social Security surplus.
Their budget would take us in the wrong direction. Vice President Gore and I have
pursued an economic strategy focused on fiscal discipline, expanded trade and investment in our
people. And it is working. In the past six-and-a-half years, it has produced lower interest rates,
the longest peacetime expansion in history, more than 19 million new jobs, rising wages, the
lowest unemployment in a generation and record-breaking levels of home ownership. That
means more money in your paycheck, lower interest rates to buy a home or a car, and more help
through efforts like the Hope Scholarship to send your children to college. We are on a solid
path of progress and prosperity and the American people want it to continue.
Two days ago, I vetoed the Republicans' risky $792 billion tax plan, because it was too
big, too bloated and would place too big a burden on our economy. It would have forced cuts of
nearly 50 percent in everything from air traffic safety to education to heatlhcare to veterans
programs. Without these untenable cuts, hundreds of billions of dollars would have to be
diverted from the Social Security lockbox and debt reduction. We said we shouldn't touch the
Social Security surplus, and today I say to the Congressional majority - we don't have to do it.
But so far, the Congressional majority has pursued a path that would force them to break
that pledge. In fact, the same day I vetoed their budget-busting tax plan, they passed a bill out of
committee that would not only seriously undermine our efforts to strengthen public education,
but would also result in the spending of the Social Security surplus. Their education budget
would eliminate our effort to hire quality teachers and reduce class size. It would deny hundreds
of thousands of young people access to after-school programs. It fails to improve and expand
Head Start, cuts the successful America Reads program and cuts educational technology - all at a
time when we need to be doing more, not less to prepare our children and our nation for the
challenges of the new global economy.
To find a way out the quandary they have created for themselves, the Congressional
majority has resorted to all kinds of gimmicks to claim they are not using the Social Security
surplus: declaring the annual census an emergency, declaring the program that provides heating
assistance for poor people an emergency, even though winter is an annual certainty, and
rescinding $3 billion in money promised to states to help them move more people from welfare
to work. [And with the Republican tax plan vetoed, they are putting forth other proposals that
would be paid for in only one way, by raiding the Social Security surplus. |These gimmicks are
designed to mask one thing - that the Republican proposals would lead to backing away from
our commitment to Save Social Security First.
There is a way out of this quandary. I have proposed a fiscally responsible budget plan
that eliminates the debt, strengthens and modernizes Medicare, invests in education and saves
Social Security. My plan would create a real lockbox that, unlike the Republican plan would
devote the entire Social Security surplus to debt reduction and extend the life of Social Security
until the middle of the next century. My budget meets the needs of the American people, pays
for itself, and offers a far better alternative than the Republican path which leads straight to
spending the Social Security surplus.
/
Time is short. The fiscal year will end on Thursday. I urge Congress to stop the
gimmicks stop the smoke and mirrors. You can do the people's business, fund our national
priorities, without continuing down the path of draining the Social Security surplus.
Thanks for listening.
Draft 9/24/99 3:20pm
Terry Edmonds
PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON
RADIO ADDRESS ON SOCIAL SECURITY SURPLUS
WASHINGTON, DC
September 24, 1999
Good morning. With only five days left in the current fiscal year, Congress has a lot of
work to do. They must fulfill their fundamental obligation to the American people by passing a
budget that adequately funds our national priorities without doing something we all agreed we
wouldn't and shouldn't do: spend the Social Security surplus instead of preserving it for debt
reduction. Try as they might, the Republican majority is finding it virtually impossible to
provide the needed funds for education, health care and other vital areas within the framework of
their tax and budget plan. It is becoming increasingly clear - they simply can't do that without
spending the Social Security surplus.
Their budget would take us in the wrong direction. Vice President Gore and I have
pursued an economic strategy focused on fiscal discipline, expanded trade and investment in our
people. And it is working. In the past six-and-a-half years, it has produced lower interest rates,
the longest peacetime expansion in history, more than 19 million new jobs, rising wages, the
lowest unemployment in a generation and record-breaking levels of home ownership. That
means more money in your paycheck, lower interest rates to buy a home or a car, and more help
through efforts like the Hope Scholarship to send your children to college. We are on a solid
path of progress and prosperity and the American people want it to continue.
Two days ago, I vetoed the Republicans' risky $792 billion tax plan, because it was too
big, too bloated and would place too big a burden on our economy. It would have forced cuts of
nearly 50 percent in everything from air traffic safety to education to heatlhcare to veterans
programs. Without these untenable cuts, hundreds of billions of dollars would have to be
diverted from the Social Security lockbox and debt reduction. We said we shouldn't touch the
Social Security surplus, and today I say to the Congressional majority - we don't have to do it.
But so far, the Congressional majority has pursued a path that would force them to break
that pledge. In fact, the same day I vetoed their budget-busting tax plan, they passed a bill out of
committee that would not only seriously undermine our efforts to strengthen public education,
but would also result in the spending of the Social Security surplus. Their education budget
would eliminate our effort to hire quality teachers and reduce class size. It would deny hundreds
of thousands of young people access to after-school programs. It fails to improve and expand
Head Start, cuts the successful America Reads program and cuts educational technology - all at a
time when we need to be doing more, not less to prepare our children and our nation for the
challenges of the new global economy.
To find a way out the quandary they have created for themselves, the Congressional
majority has resorted to all kinds of gimmicks to claim they are not using the Social Security
surplus: declaring the annual census an emergency, declaring the program that provides heating
assistance for poor people an emergency, even though winter is an annual certainty, and
rescinding $3 billion in money promised to states to help them move more people from welfare
to work. [And with the Republican tax plan vetoed, they are putting forth other proposals that
would be paid for in only one way, by raiding the Social Security surplus. These gimmicks are
designed to mask one thing - that the Republican proposals would lead to backing away from
our commitment to Save Social Security First.
There is a way out of this quandary. I have proposed a fiscally responsible budget plan
that eliminates the debt, strengthens and modernizes Medicare, invests in education and saves
Social Security. My plan would create a real lockbox that, unlike the Republican plan would
devote the entire Social Security surplus to debt reduction and extend the life of Social Security
until the middle of the next century. My budget meets the needs of the American people, pays
for itself, and offers a far better alternative than the Republican path which leads straight to
spending the Social Security surplus.
/
Time is short. The fiscal year will end on Thursday. I urge Congress to stop the
gimmicks stop the smoke and mirrors. You can do the people's business, fund our national
priorities, without continuing down the path of draining the Social Security surplus.
Thanks for listening.
Draft 9/24/99 3:20pm
Terry Edmonds
PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON
RADIO ADDRESS ON SOCIAL SECURITY SURPLUS
WASHINGTON, DC
September 24, 1999
Good morning. With only five days left in the current fiscal year, Congress has a lot of
work to do. They must fulfill their fundamental obligation to the American people by passing a
budget that adequately funds our national priorities without doing something we all agreed we
wouldn't and shouldn't do: spend the Social Security surplus instead of preserving it for debt
reduction. Try as they might, the Republican majority is finding it virtually impossible to
provide the needed funds for education, health care and other vital areas within the framework of
their tax and budget plan. It is becoming increasingly clear - they simply can't do that without
spending the Social Security surplus.
Their budget would take us in the wrong direction. Vice President Gore and I have
pursued an economic strategy focused on fiscal discipline, expanded trade and investment in our
people. And it is working. In the past six-and-a-half years, it has produced lower interest rates,
the longest peacetime expansion in history, more than 19 million new jobs, rising wages, the
lowest unemployment in a generation and record-breaking levels of home ownership. That
means more money in your paycheck, lower interest rates to buy a home or a car, and more help
through efforts like the Hope Scholarship to send your children to college. We are on a solid
path of progress and prosperity and the American people want it to continue.
Two days ago, I vetoed the Republicans' risky $792 billion tax plan, because it was too
big, too bloated and would place too big a burden on our economy. It would have forced cuts of
nearly 50 percent in everything from air traffic safety to education to heatlhcare to veterans
programs. Without these untenable cuts, hundreds of billions of dollars would have to be
diverted from the Social Security lockbox and debt reduction. We said we shouldn't touch the
Social Security surplus, and today I say to the Congressional majority - we don't have to do it.
But SO far, the Congressional majority has pursued a path that would force them to break
that pledge. In fact, the same day I vetoed their budget-busting tax plan, they passed a bill out of
committee that would not only seriously undermine our efforts to strengthen public education,
but would also result in the spending of the Social Security surplus. Their education budget
would eliminate our effort to hire quality teachers and reduce class size. It would deny hundreds
of thousands of young people access to after-school programs. It fails to improve and expand
Head Start, cuts the successful America Reads program and cuts educational technology - all at a
time when we need to be doing more, not less to prepare our children and our nation for the
challenges of the new global economy.
To find a way out the quandary they have created for themselves, the Congressional
majority has resorted to all kinds of gimmicks to claim they are not using the Social Security
surplus: declaring the annual census an emergency, declaring the program that provides heating
assistance for poor people an emergency, even though winter is an annual certainty, and
rescinding $3 billion in money promised to states to help them move more people from welfare
to work. [And with the Republican tax plan vetoed, they are putting forth other proposals that
would be paid for in only one way, by raiding the Social Security surplus. These gimmicks are
designed to mask one thing - that the Republican proposals would lead to backing away from
our commitment to Save Social Security First.
There is a way out of this quandary. I have proposed a fiscally responsible budget plan
that eliminates the debt, strengthens and modernizes Medicare, invests in education and saves
Social Security. My plan would create a real lockbox that, unlike the Republican plan would
devote the entire Social Security surplus to debt reduction and extend the life of Social Security
until the middle of the next century. My budget meets the needs of the American people, pays
for itself, and offers a far better alternative than the Republican path which leads straight to
spending the Social Security surplus.
Time is short. The fiscal year will end on Thursday. I urge Congress to stop the
gimmicks stop the smoke and mirrors. You can do the people's business, fund our national
priorities, without continuing down the path of draining the Social Security surplus.
Thanks for listening.
THE PREDICTABLE CONSEQUENCE OF THE REPUBLICAN TAX CUT
WOULD BE TO DIVERT HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS FROM THE
SOCIAL SECURITY LOCKBOX AND DEBT REDUCTION
September 22,1999
The Republican Tax Cut, With Interest, Would Break the Social Security "Lockbox" After 2004 as shown
in the table below.
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
Non-Social Security Surplus (CBO)
92
129
146
157
178
Republican Tax Cut*
85
117
140
168
188
Additional Interest From Tax Cut
11
16
24
33
44
Social Security Surplus Diverted
-4
-4
18
44
54
From Debt Reduction
*Assumes that the full tax cut is continued after 2008.
To Avoid Using Social Security Surpluses, the Republican Tax and Budget Plan Is Forced To Cut All
Domestic Discretionary Spending by Nearly Half in 2009 (assuming that defense is funded at the President's
level). This could require cuts of nearly 50 percent in everything from air traffic safety to education to
healthcare to veterans programs.
The Republican budget resolution sets aside $606 billion for all discretionary spending in 2009. If the
Republicans fund defense at the levels requested by the President ($384 billion in 2009), they would be able
to devote only $222 billion to all domestic spending, including education, healthcare, and veterans
programs, in 2009. This is substantially below the roughly $304 billion spent on non-defense discretionary
spending in 1999. This represents a nearly 50 percent cut relative to 1999 levels adjusted for inflation.
If These Unfeasible and Undesirable Cuts Are Not Made, then the Republican Tax Cut Would Spend
Hundreds of Billions of Dollars from the Social Security Surplus. Under highly conservative assumptions,
even with large discretionary spending cuts, the fully phased in Republican tax cut would divert Social Security
surpluses from debt reduction, leaving the debt hundreds of billions of dollars higher than the President's plan.
The Republican Tax Cut, If Continued, Would Leave America Permanently In Debt. It is unrealistic to
assume that the Republican tax cut will be reversed. If the tax cuts were continued:
The cost of the tax bill would explode just when the baby boomers begin to retire, Medicare becomes
insolvent (2015), and Social Security payroll revenues begin to fall short of benefits.
The cost between 2010 and 2019 would be $2.7 trillion, according to projections by the Treasury
Department. The total cost, including lost interest savings, would be over $4 trillion.
The total cost over the 20 years between 2000 and 2019, including interest, would be about $5 trillion.
The debt held by the public would not be eliminated (assuming defense is funded at the level requested by
the President).
The Exploding Republican Tax Cut
$5
$4
Trillions of dollars
$3
$2
$1
$0
2000-09
2010-2019
Note: Cost with interest, assuming tax cut is continued.
Medicare solvency would be secured for at least a quarter century and Medicare would be
reformed to make it more efficient and competitive, and its benefits modernized with a
new prescription drug benefit.
The Social Security surplus would be dedicated to paying down the debt and solvency
would be extended.
The budget framework would invest in key priorities like education, environment, public
safety, and national security, while keeping overall spending at tight but realistic levels.
A fair and responsible tax cut would provide tax relief for middle-class Americans while
helping them save for retirement.
wheter or not SEpurplus spent
OMB-
Final 9/24/99 5pm
Terry Edmonds
PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON
RADIO ADDRESS ON SOCIAL SECURITY
SURPLUS
WASHINGTON, DC
September 24, 1999
10:4
Good morning. With only five days left in the
current fiscal year, Congress has a lot of work to do.
They must fulfill their fundamental obligation to the
American people by passing a budget that adequately
funds our national priorities without doing something we
all agreed we shouldn't and do not need to do: spend the
Social Security surplus instead of preserving it for debt
reduction. I have a budget that keeps this commitment.
Vice President Gore and I have pursued an economic
strategy focused on fiscal discipline, expanded trade and
investment in our people. And it is working.
1
In the past six-and-a-half years, it has produced lower
interest rates, the longest peacetime expansion in history,
more than 19 million new jobs, rising wages, the lowest
unemployment in a generation and record-breaking levels
of home ownership. That means more money in your
paycheck, lower interest rates to buy a home or a car, and
more help through efforts like the Hope Scholarship to
send your children to college. We are on a solid path of
progress and prosperity and the American people want it
to continue.
Two days ago, I vetoed the Republicans' risky $792
billion tax plan, because it was too big, too bloated and
would place too big a burden on our economy.
2
It would have forced cuts of nearly 50 percent in
everything from air traffic safety to education to
heatlhcare to veterans programs to national security.
They've created an untenable choice. On the one hand,
irresponsible cuts. On the other, diverting funds from the
Social Security surplus and debt reduction. We said we
shouldn't touch the Social Security surplus, and today I
say to the Congressional majority - we don't have to do
it.
The Congressional majority continues on a track that
does not adequately fund our priorities, while spending
the Social Security surplus instead of preserving it for
debt reduction.
3
Even their own Congressional Budget Office, is
warning that their plan risks spending Social Security
surpluses. One month ago, CBO estimated that they
would use $16 to $19 billion of the Social Security
surplus and steps taken since then have only made this
number go higher.
At the same time they are not providing enough for
education and other vital priorities. In fact, the same day I
vetoed their budget-busting tax plan, they passed a bill out
of committee that would seriously undermine our efforts
to strengthen education. It would eliminate our effort to
hire quality teachers and reduce class size.
4
It would deny hundreds of thousands of young people
access to after-school programs. It would eliminate our
mentoring and youth opportunities efforts. It fails to
improve and expand Head Start, cuts the successful
America Reads program and cuts educational technology
- all at a time when we need to be doing more, not less to
prepare our children and our nation for the challenges of
the new global economy.
There is a better way. The Republicans should work
with us to create a budget that pays for itself with straight-
forward proposals like our tobacco policy.
5
They should work with us to create a real Social Security
lockbox that would devote the entire Social Security
surplus to debt reduction and extend the life of Social
Security until the middle of the next century.
Thursday, I asked the Republicans to work with me
on a bipartisan Medicare proposal that would modernize
Medicare, provide an voluntary prescription drug benefit
and keep it solvent until at least 2027. I was pleased that
following a meeting with my advisors, The Chairman of
the Senate Finance Committee, Bill Roth, has agreed to
engage in serious discussions with us on meaningful
Medicare reform.
6
I am reaching out to the Republicans to engage with
us on serious negotiations on strengthening Medicare for
the 21st century. We owe it to the American people to
give it our best effort.
Thanks for listening.
7
Final 9/24/99 5pm
Terry Edmonds
PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON
RADIO ADDRESS ON SOCIAL SECURITY
SURPLUS
WASHINGTON, DC
September 24, 1999
Good morning. With only five days left in the
current fiscal year, Congress has a lot of work to do.
They must fulfill their fundamental obligation to the
American people by passing a budget that adequately
funds our national priorities without doing something we
all agreed we shouldn't and do not need to do: spend the
Social Security surplus instead of preserving it for debt
reduction. I have a budget that keeps this commitment.
Vice President Gore and I have pursued an economic
strategy focused on fiscal discipline, expanded trade and
investment in our people. And it is working.
1
In the past six-and-a-half years, it has produced lower
interest rates, the longest peacetime expansion in history,
more than 19 million new jobs, rising wages, the lowest
unemployment in a generation and record-breaking levels
of home ownership. That means more money in your
paycheck, lower interest rates to buy a home or a car, and
more help through efforts like the Hope Scholarship to
send your children to college. We are on a solid path of
progress and prosperity and the American people want it
to continue.
Two days ago, I vetoed the Republicans' risky $792
billion tax plan, because it was too big, too bloated and
would place too big a burden on our economy.
2
It would have forced cuts of nearly 50 percent in
everything from air traffic safety to education to
heatlhcare to veterans programs to national security.
They've created an untenable choice. On the one hand,
irresponsible cuts. On the other, diverting funds from the
Social Security surplus and debt reduction. We said we
shouldn't touch the Social Security surplus, and today I
say to the Congressional majority - we don't have to do
it.
The Congressional majority continues on a track that
does not adequately fund our priorities, while spending
the Social Security surplus instead of preserving it for
debt reduction.
3
Even their own Congressional Budget Office, is
warning that their plan risks spending Social Security
surpluses. One month ago, CBO estimated that they
would use $16 to $19 billion of the Social Security
surplus and steps taken since then have only made this
number go higher.
At the same time they are not providing enough for
education and other vital priorities. In fact, the same day I
vetoed their budget-busting tax plan, they passed a bill out
of committee that would seriously undermine our efforts
to strengthen education. It would eliminate our effort to
hire quality teachers and reduce class size.
4
It would deny hundreds of thousands of young people
access to after-school programs. It fails to improve and
expand Head Start, cuts the successful America Reads
program and cuts educational technology - all at a time
when we need to be doing more, not less to prepare our
children and our nation for the challenges of the new
global economy.
There is a better way. My budget pays for itself with
straight-forward proposals like our tobacco policy. It
would also create a real Social Security lockbox that,
unlike the Republican plan, would devote the entire
Social Security surplus to debt reduction and extend the
life of Social Security until the middle of the next century.
5
Thursday, I asked the Republicans to work with me
on a bipartisan Medicare proposal that would modernize
Medicare, provide and voluntary prescription drug benefit
and keep it solvent until at least 2027. I was pleased that
following a meeting with my advisors, The Chairman of
the Senate Finance Committee, Bill Roth, has agreed to
engage in serious discussions with us on meaningful
Medicare reform. I am reaching out to the Republicans to
engage with us on serious negotiations on strengthening
Medicare for the 21st century. We owe it to the American
people to give it our best effort.
Thanks for listening.
6
Draft 9/24/99 3pm
Terry Edmonds
PRESIDENT WILLIAM J CLINTON
RADIO ADDRESS ON SOCIAL SECURITY SURPLUS
WASHINGTON, DC
September 24, 1999
Good morning. With only five days left in the current fiscal year, Congress has a lot of
work to do. They must fulfill their fundamental obligation to the American people by passing a
budget that adequately funds our national priorities without doing something we all agreed we
wouldn't and shouldn't do: spend the Social Security surplus instead of preserving it for debt
reduction. One reason for the delay is that, try as they might, the Republican majority is finding
it virtually impossible to provide the needed funds for education, health care and other vital areas
within the framework of their tax and budget plan. It is becoming increasingly clear - they
simply can't do that without spending the Social Security surplus.
Their budget would take us in the wrong direction. Vice President Gore and I have
pursued an economic strategy focused on fiscal discipline, expanded trade and investment in our
people. And it is working. In the past six-and-a-half years, it has produced lower interest rates,
the longest peacetime expansion in history, more than 19 million new jobs, rising wages, the
lowest unemployment in a generation and record-breaking levels of home ownership. That
means more money in your paycheck, lower interest rates to buy a home or a car, and more help
through efforts like the Hope Scholarship to send your children to college. We are on a solid
path of progress and prosperity and the American people want it to continue.
Two days ago, I vetoed the Republicans' risky $792 billion tax plan, because it was too
big, too bloated and would place too big a burden on our economy. It would have forced cuts of
nearly 50 percent in everything from air traffic safety to education to heatlhcare to veterans
programs. Without these untenable cuts, hundreds of billions of dollars would have to be
diverted from the Social Security lockbox and debt reduction. We said we shouldn't touch the
Social Security surplus, and today I say to the Congressional majority - we don't have to do it.
the Congressival majority has
But so far, they have pursued a path that would force them to break that pledge. In fact,
the same day I vetoed their budget-busting tax plan, they passed a bill out of committee that
would not only seriously undermine our efforts to strengthen public education, but would also
result in the spending of the Social Security surplus. Their education budget would eliminate our
effort to hire quality teachers and reduce class size would deny hundreds of thousands of young
people access to after-school programs. It fails to improve and expand Head Start, cuts the
successful America Reads program and cuts educational technology - all at a time when we need
to be doing more, not less to prepare our children and our nation for the challenges of the new
global economy.
In order for the Congressional majority to find a way out the quandary they have created
for themselves, they have resorted to all kinds of gimmicks to claim they are not using the Social
Security surplus: declaring the annual census an emergency, declaring the program that provides
heating assistance for poor people an emergency, even though winter is an annual certainty, or
rescinding $3 billion in money promised to states to help them move more people from welfare
to work. [And with the Republican tax plan vetoed, they are putting forth other proposals that
designed to mask one thing - that the Republican proposals would lead to the spending of the Reway from
would be paid for in only one way, by raiding the Social Security surplus. ]These gimmicks are
our
Común than
Social Security Surplus first
There is a way out of this quandary. I have proposed a fiscally responsible budget plan
that eliminates the debt, strengthens and modernizes Medicare, invests in education and saves
Social Security. My plan would create a real lockbox that, unlike the Republican plan would denote
the
extend the life of Social Security solvent until the middle of the next century. My budget meets
entrer
the needs of the American people, pays for itself, and offers a far better alternative than the
55
Republican path which leads straight to spending the Social Security surplus.
surplus
Time is short. The fiscal year will end on Thursday. I urge Congress to stop the
to debt
gimmicks. stop the smoke and mirrors. You can do the people's business, fund our national reduction
priorities, without continuing your path of draining the Social Security surplus.
and
Thanks for listening.
the C has
In order for the Congressional majority to find a way out the quandary they have created
for themselves they have resorted to all kinds of gimmicks to claim they are not using the Social
Security surplus: declaring the annual census an emergency, declaring the program that provides
heating assistance for poor people an emergency, even though winter is an annual certainty, or
rescinding $3 billion in money promised to states to help them move more people from welfare
to work. [And with the Republican tax plan vetoed, they are putting forth other proposals that
would be paid for in only one way, by raiding the Social Security surplus. ]These gimmicks are
designed to mask one thing - that the Republican proposals would lead to backing away from
our commitment to Save Social Security First.
There is a way out of this quandary. I have proposed a fiscally responsible budget plan
that eliminates the debt, strengthens and modernizes Medicare, invests in education and saves
Social Security. My plan would create a real lockbox that, unlike the Republican plan would
devote the entire Social Security surplus to debt reduction and extend the life of Social Security
until the middle of the next century. My budget meets the needs of the American people, pays
for itself, and offers a far better alternative than the Republican path which leads straight to
spending the Social Security surplus.
Time is short. The fiscal year will end on Thursday. I urge Congress to stop the
gimmicks...stop the smoke and mirrors. You can do the people's business, fund our national
priorities, without continuing your path of draining the Social Security surplus.
Thanks for listening.
Draft 9/24/99 3pm
Terry Edmonds
PRESIDENT WILLIAM J. CLINTON
RADIO ADDRESS ON SOCIAL SECURITY SURPLUS
WASHINGTON, DC
September 24, 1999
instead of it for debt
Good morning. With only five days left in the current fiscal year, Congress has a lot of
work to do. They must fulfill their fundamental obligation to the American people by passing a
reducter
budget that adequately funds our national priorities without doing something we all agreed we
wouldn't and shouldn't do: spend the Social Security surplus One reason for the delay is that,
try as they might, the Republican majority is finding it virtually impossible to provide the needed
funds for education, health care and other vital areas within the framework of their tax and
budget plan. It is becoming increasingly clear - they simply can't do that without spending the
Social Security surplus.
Their budget would take us in the wrong direction. Vice President Gore and I have
pursued and economic strategy focused on fiscal discipline, expanded trade and investment in
our people. And it is working. In the past six-and-a-half years, it has produced lower interest
rates, the longest peacetime expansion in history, more than 19 million new jobs, rising wages,
the lowest unemployment in a generation and record-breaking levels of home ownership. That
means more money in your paycheck, lower interest rates to buy a home or a car, and more help
through efforts like the Hope Scholarship to send your children to college. We are on a solid
path want to
of progress and prosperity the and the Couse American If people these untenahle it continue, cuts were not made
big, too bloated and would place too big a burden on our economy. It would have forced cuts of without
Two days ago, I vetoed the Republicans fisky $792 billion tax plan, because it was too
nearly 50 percent in everything from air traffic safety to education to heatlhcare to veterans
programs. To pay for their tax cut, the Republicans would also have to divert hundreds of
theye
billions of dollars from the Social Security lockbox. We said we shouldn't touch the Social
intenshle
Security surplus, and today I say to the Congressional majority - we don't have to do it.
Cuts
norb
But so far, they have pursued a path that would force them to break that pledge. In fact,
the same day I vetoed their budget-busting tax plan, they passed a bill out of committee that
would
would not only seriously undermine our efforts to strengthen public education, but would also
result in the spending of the Social Security surplus. Their education budget would eliminate our
have
effort to hire quality teachers, reduce class size - it would deny hundreds of thousands of young
been up
people access to after-school programs. It fails to improve and expand Head Start, cuts the
divered
successful America Reads program and cuts educational technology - all at a time when we need
from
to be doing more, not less to prepare our children and our nation for the challenges of the new
global economy.
these
forefor
debt
reduction
5 mire plays 5 mire days
in year fiscal
C Patrick M. Dorton
09/24/99 11:17:56 AM
Record Type:
Record
To:
Terry Edmonds/WHO/EOP@EOP, Samir Afridi/WHO/EOP@EOP
CC:
Subject: Rough radio address themes and info
Republicans are using all kinds of gimmicks to claim that they are not using the Social
Security surplus.
--Fixing the books to make it look like $12.7 billion in spending for next year Delaying/Pushing
off next year's spending until for another year - 13th month
--Declaring routine $1.1 billion in heating assistance an emergency
Going back on a commitment made to the nation's governors Rescinding $3 billion in welfare
money promised to the states for welfare reform - morning people from welfare to work
--Even declaring the constutionally-mandated Census an emergency
The House passed $4 billion in funding for the census that they have designated as an
emergency, even though the Constitution requires that we do a census every ten years like
clockwork.
-Congress has directed scorekeeping adjustments - instructions to CBO to count things as
costing less - for defense highways, and mass transit for a total of about $11 billion
according to CBO.
--In addition to that, they have chosen to assume spectrum auction sales to be $2.6 billion more
than CBO projected in its baseline.
--Since then, the House Labor-HHS subcommittee has designated the $1.1 billion Low Income
Energy Assistance Program as an emergency, even though winter comes pretty much every
year.
--And that same subcommittee shifts from 2000 to 2001 $3 billion in TANF funds that the
States have promised.
--Some in Congress have proposed to rush agriculture money out the door in fiscal 1999 or
push it back to 2001 to avoid the appearance of spending in fiscal year 2000.
--At one time some in Congress even proposed to delay needed tax refunds under EITC to low
income working families who depend on those funds to
1
--Proposing a totally unrealistic education budget that if enacted would dramatically
underfund our nation's schools. This education budget would
The bill eliminates our effort to hire quality teachers to reduce class size in the early grades. It
denies hundreds of thousands of young people access to after-school programs, fails to improve
and expand Head Start, cuts the successful America Reads program, cuts educational
technology, and eliminates the GEAR UP program, which helps young people prepare early
for success in college. It fails to give public schools the resources to succeed, and does
nothing to demand accountability for results.
GOP Spending Bills
Face Huge Hurdles
Radiv days fescar
Critics Condemn 'Gimmicks,' Priorities
year
By ERIC PLANIN
Critics complained that the bill is
and KAREN DEYOUNG
rife with "gimmicks" to try to skirt
Washington Post Staff Writers
the restraints of the 1997 budget
prisretos
agreement and to mask the fact that
House Republicans yesterday be-
Social Security surpluses are going to
gan work on a giant fiscal 2000 labor,
be used to finance some of the spend-
enecess-propery
health and education measure that
ing.
roughly matches this year's spending
The bill treats $12.5 billion for ed-
Caug not fruids
but guts the Clinton administration's
ucation, job training and Head Start
LMBC-
education and job-training initiatives
as "advance spending" that does not
and rèlies heavily on creative budget-
count against the 2000 spending cap
priviter-ed-selen privites care taken
ary tactics,
but instead would be distributed in
The bill, approved by appropria-
the first month of 2001. About $1.1
cidif. unfat. applic
tors along party lines, would torpedo
billion of energy assistance for low-
tablet bills would
President Clinton's plan to add
income families is declared an "emer-
100,000 teachers to the nation's
gency."
classrooms and would eliminate
The measure also frees additional
funds for Goals 2000, building im-
funds by claiming $3 billion in federal
Companding further specifing
provements and a program to help
welfare payments the states have not
youngsters prepare for college.) In-
spent. The National Governors' As-
stead, the Republicans trimmed and
sociation complained that Congress
consolidated those funds in a block
is reneging on its commitment to let
spend that would
grant program that has yet to be fully
the states spend that money as they
authorized.
choose.
surplus- extenders
With only a week before the start
The bill-which would provide
of the new fiscal year and a raft of dif-
$89.3 billion in discretionary funds to
ficult spending issues to resolve, con-
finance agencies, with the remainder
gressional negotiators focused on
earmarked for entitlements-essen-
SS protected should
many different fronts: The agricul-
tially would freeze discretionary
ture+bill was deadlocked over wheth-
spending at this year's level, or about
whinest mate wf
er to,lift sanctions on Cuba; the de-
$2.2 billion below the president's re-
fense bill was stalled over the F-22
quest. It would provide $1.1 billion
capart polition spendar
should for ther
fighter aircraft; and the foreign oper-
more than Clinton sought for bio-
ations bill was hung up over in-
medical research at the National In-
ternational family planning.
stitutes of Health and outspend his
The Republicans' biggest chal-
plan for community health centers
lenge, however, is likely to be striking
and maternal- and child-care grants
a deal with the Democrats and the
to states.
White House over the labor, health
Meanwhile, House and Senate
and education measure-the single
conferees struggled to revive negoti-
largest domestic spending bill.
ations over a compromise agriculture
House Republicans asserted yester-
spending bill, including $8 billion in
Reyane
day that the measure addresses the
emergency aid to farmers, after
nation's most urgent spending needs
reaching an impasse Wednesday on
while fulfilling a GOP pledge not to
easing restrictions on food and medi-
DNC
dipt. into. the Social Security: trust
cine sales to Cuba. Negotiators re-
fund."
jected a House leadership version of
"We are committed, all of us, to
the bill that effectively nullifies the
stop; bleeding Social Security re-
Senate action in the summer to end
serves," said Rep. John Edward Por-
the decades-old sanctions on Cuba.
ter (R-III), the subcommittee chair-
Cuba is the only nation in the
Jush:
man who drafted the bill "That takes
world for which food sales are under
5
sofhe' discipline."
a blanket U.S. prohibition and med-
But the $315.9 billion bill stands
ical sales are sharply restricted. The
virtually no chance of surviving in its
GOP leadership's inability to prevail
Samssit
present form, both sides agree, and
on the Cuba measure-as well as a
drew sharp condemnation from con-
cross-party disagreement on milk
gressional Democrats and a veto
pricing mechanisms-has dashed its
threat from the president
hopes that the farm bill could be
adda line
Clinton said the bill "is proof that
quickly passed this week.
America's highest priority, improv-
ing our schools, remains the Repub-
Staff writer Juliet Eilperin
lican Congress's lowest priority."
contributed to this report.
re what
to ed priority
Repubs did
wh they would pasted \,,11
which
in Labor/HS
The Washington Post
yesterday ment we
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1999
highest
see put sumething out last like "When we talkabart What it mean to make toke
education the Drinity" Repub did yesterday, They made it their
Demogat our we friest Kneep priority it means Look atwhat
Gov. Bush Outlines
His Defense Policy
GOP Front-Runner Pushes Pay Hikes, High-Tech Weapons
By: TERRY M. NEAL
America in too many regional con-
former president Ronald Reagan.
Bush's alleged foreign policy and
Washington Post Staff Writer
flicts without clearly defining na-
Among them: Condoleezza Rice,
defense expertise begins with Slo-
tional interests.
Brent Scowcroft, Colin L. Powell,
venia and ends with Slovakia."
CHARLESTON, S.C., Sept.
"If elected, I will set three goals:
Richard B. Cheney, Paul Wolfo-
On a more serious note, Lehane
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1999
23-Texas Gov. George W. Bush
I will renew the bond of trust be-
alleged that Bush's economic and
The Washington Post
witz, George Shultz, Richard L.
(R) outlined the broad themes of
tween the American president and
Armitage and Richard Perle.
defense policies would break the
his national defense policy today,
the American military," Bush said,
The speech was designed to por-
bank. Bush proposed committing
vowing to accelerate the devel-
before a crowd of several hundred
tray Bush as a tough, Reaganesque
an extra $20 billion over five years
opment of high-tech weaponry, in-
cheering, uniformed, students and
military hawk who would use the
for research and development of
crease military pay, develop an an-
military officers. "I will defend the
U.S. military's dominance to pro-
new weapons systems. He also said
timissile defense system and end
American people against missiles
mote peace around the world. He
he would earmark 20 percent of
the "back-to-back" troop deploy-
and terror. And I will begin creat-
emphasized more than once that
the defense procurement budget
ments around the globe.
ing the military of the next centu-
he would not use the military as a
for "acquisitions programs that
The speech at the Citadel, a pub-
ry."
permanent peacekeeping force and
propel America generations ahead
lic. military college, was Bush's
Bush chose to give the speech in
that countries such as China, Iraq,
first foray into the areas of defense
South Carolina because it has a
North Korea should be warned
in military technology." And he
ty.
and-foreign policy-areas where
large military presence and an ear-
about threatening the United
said he would push for a $1 billion
Bush saved some of his harshest
Derhocratic and Republican critics
ly position on next year's primary
States: "Our first line of defense is
per year increase in military sala-
criticism of the White House for
alikeshave questioned his creden-
and caucus calendar.
a simple message. Every group or
ries over the 4.8 percent increase
U.S. troop deployments around the
tials,
While Bush has experience in
nation must know, if they sponsor
recently approved by Congress.
world. "This administration wants
While Bush only mentioned "the
education and social issues as gov-
such attacks, our response will be
But Rice, a Stanford University
things both ways: To command
administration" once in his 30-
ernor of the nation's second-most
devastating."
provost who is on leave and serv-
great forces without supporting
minute speech, he implicitly took
populous state, he has virtually
The campaign of Vice President
ing as Bush's top foreign policy ad-
them," he said. "To launch today's
dead-aim at the White House. He
none in defense or foreign policy,
Gore responded before Bush had
viser, said during a conference call
new causes, with little thought of
said the Clinton administration
as his opponents have stressed.
even delivered his speech. Gore
that the current budget surplus
tomorrow's consequences."
had sapped military morale and
Bush has relied this year on advice
spokesman Chris Lehane, playing
would more than cover the cost of
stretched defense resources with a
from former advisers to his father,
off of two well-publicized Bush
Bush's proposal, plus the proposed
Staff researcher Ben White in
foreign policy that has placed
former president George Bush and
gaffes, said: "I think Governor
GOP tax cuts, with enough money
Washington contributed to this
left over to shore up Social Securi-
report.