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Accomplishments List 1989 [OA 4423]
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Accomplishments List 1989 [OA 4423]
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Records of the White House Office of Speechwriting (George H. W. Bush Administration)
Mary Kate Grant Subject Files
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Originally Processed With FOIA(s):
FOIA Number:
S
FOIA
MARKER
This is not a textual record. This is used as an
administrative marker by the George Bush Presidential
Library Staff.
Record Group/Collection:
George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
Collection/Office of Origin:
Speechwriting, White House Office of
Series:
Grant, Mary Kate, Files
Subseries:
Subject File, 1988-1991
OA/ID Number:
13877
Folder ID Number:
13877-002
Folder Title:
Accomplishments List, 1989
Stack:
Row:
Section:
Shelf:
Position:
G
19
2
7
2
THE WHITE HOUSE
UPDATE 2
WASHINGTON
November 21, 1989
MEMORANDUM TO INTERESTED PARTIES
FROM: DAVID DEMAREST
SUBJECT: COMMUNICATIONS PLAN FOR ONE YEAR BUSH ACCOMPLISHMENTS
OBJECTIVE:
To communicate the accomplishments of the Bush Administration's
first year through outreach efforts to the public, constituency
groups, the media, the Congress and grass-root Republicans.
BACKGROUND:
Public Affairs is preparing a document outlining first year
accomplishments to be released in early December. The document
will be distributed by mass mailings and in briefings. The
targeted audience is the media and constituency groups, both from
the White House and Agencies.
Input by the Agencies will be included in the White House version
of the accomplishments, through the normal staffing process (ie.
Cabinet Affairs). But we will also request the Public Affairs
Directors develop a more detailed Departmental accomplishments
list to distribute to their own targeted media and constituency
group lists.
OUTREACH:
The following describes potential avenues for outreach across the
United States -- providing individuals with current and accurate
information regarding President Bush's first year in office:
The Media
The White House:
Agencies:
-- targeted mailings of White
-- targeted mailings of
House document to national
Department's document to
media
specialty trade press and
"beat" reporters
-- December and January White
-- letters to the editors and
House briefings with editors
op-eds generated by Cabinet
and publishers
Members and other top
Administration officials
-- Cabinet Members conduct
satellite interviews
Constituency Groups and other Audiences
The White House:
Agencies:
-- mass mailing of WH doc-
-- mass mailing of Department
ument by various
documents to their
WH offices. Specific
constituency group lists
guidelines discussed below in
"Miscellaneous." " **
-- all White House offices to
-- Department documents
incorporate document in
incorporated in Dec/Jan
Dec/Jan briefings.
briefings
TIMELINE: (for White House accomplishments document)
Monday, November 20
Accomplishments document to be staffed.
Tuesday, November 21
Department Public Affairs briefing -- 11:00 a.m., OEOB 180
Wednesday, November 22
Staffing comments due on accomplishments document.
Wednesday, December 6
Accomplishments document to printer.
People Magazine conducts interview with the President on his
first year in office.
OPL briefing for Foreign Policy leaders. (tentative)
Monday, December 11 -- official release date
Distribution of document to White House press corps and mass
mailing of document to begin.
Media Relations editors luncheon and briefing. (tentative)
Legislative Affairs briefing for Hill Press Secretaries.
(tentative)
Agency Public Affairs briefing. (tentative)
Week of December 11
Cabinet and Hill Leadership meetings scheduled to occur
(separately). (tentative)
Begin selling satellite interviews with Cabinet Members.
Op-eds by Cabinet Members begin running.
Tuesday, December 12
OPL briefing for Business leaders.
Thursday, December 14
OPL briefing for Conservative leaders.
Week of December 18 - 20
Time, Newsweek, and US News and World Report Magazines conduct
interviews of the President on his first year in office.
January
Media Relations briefing and dinner for publishers.
Political Affairs will be meeting with their constituency groups
throughout the month of January for various reasons. They are
interested in conducting briefings on the accomplishments while
their constituents are in town. (RNC annual meeting, B/Q
chairmen reunion, inaugural reunion, Finance meetings, and
possible RNC field staff)
Wednesday, January 10
Business Week Magazine conducts interview of the President on his
first year in office.
MISCELLANEOUS: **
Mailings
White House document to be distributed by: Public Affairs,
Public Liaison, Media Relations, Intergovernmental, Political
Affairs/RNC, Legislative Affairs and the Vice President's office.
Each office is responsible for their own distribution, but will
be provided the document. Please check with Public Affairs on
distribution lists and numbers.
The Department Public Affairs offices will distribute their own
set of accomplishments to media and constituency lists (please
confirm lists with White House Public Affairs).
Briefings
Intergovernmental Affairs would like to offer their constituents
the opportunity to attend an already scheduled White House
briefing on the accomplishments.
Media
The White House Public Affairs and Media Relations Office will
coordinate with the Department Public Affairs Offices in
arranging satellite interviews for Cabinet Members.
Department Public Affairs Directors will arrange their own
Cabinet Member's op-eds and letters to the editors via their
normal process. (please send a copy of everything published to
the White House public affairs office)
###
November 7, 1989
BUILDING A BETTER AMERICA
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION
KEEPING THE ECONOMY STRONG
Record expansion now in its 83rd month as of October; over
20 million new jobs created; 119 million Americans working.
Initial budget agreement reached with Congress.
Capital gains tax cut passed the House of Representatives.
Savings and loan bailout legislation enacted into law.
Minimum wage proposal accepted with minor modifications.
Brady plan on Third World debt implemented.
SEIZING INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEACE
American-Soviet meeting to be held December 2-3; Formal
summit to take place late spring or early summer.
$490 million aid package for Poland and Hungary proposed.
Paris Economic Summit held; allied agreement to concert
efforts assisting reform in Poland and Hungary.
NATO Summit held; President declares era holds great promise
for prospect of "Europe whole and free."
Central American bipartisan accord reached with Congress.
New initiatives proposed on START and Chemical Weapons.
INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE
Education Summit held with Governors and Cabinet.
Educational Excellence Act sent to Congress.
National Drug Control Strategy proposed; Address to Nation.
Clean Air Act revisions sent to Congress.
Natural Gas Decontrol legislation enacted into law.
Comprehensive Violent Crime Act sent to Congress.
Space exploration commitment made to Space station,
permanent presence on the Moon, manned mission to Mars.
WORKING FOR A KINDER, GENTLER AMERICA
Child care legislation sent to Congress; also provides
increases for Head Start.
Points of Light initiative announced.
Full funding of McKinney Homeless Assistance Act proposed.
Campaign Finance Reform legislation sent to Congress.
Government-wide Ethics Act sent to Congress.
Legislation ensuring civil rights protections for disabled
Americans passed the Senate.
###
November 7, 1989
BUILDING A BETTER AMERICA
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION
KEEPING THE ECONOMY STRONG
Record expansion now in its 83rd month as of October; over
20 million new jobs created; 119 million Americans working.
Initial budget agreement reached with Congress.
Capital gains tax cut passed the House of Representatives.
Savings and loan bailout legislation enacted into law.
Minimum wage proposal accepted with minor modifications.
Brady plan on Third World debt implemented.
SEIZING INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEACE
American-Soviet meeting to be held December 2-3; Formal
summit to take place late spring or early summer.
$490 million aid package for Poland and Hungary proposed.
Paris Economic Summit held; allied agreement to concerted
efforts assisting reform in Poland and Hungary.
NATO Summit held; President declares era holds great promise
for prospect of "Europe whole and free."
Central American bipartisan accord reached with Congress.
New initiatives proposed on START and Chemical Weapons.
INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE
Education Summit held with Governors and Cabinet.
Educational Excellence Act sent to Congress.
National Drug Control Strategy proposed; Address to Nation.
Clean Air Act revisions sent to Congress.
Natural Gas Decontrol legislation enacted into law.
Comprehensive Violent Crime Act sent to Congress.
Space exploration commitment made to Space station,
permanent presence on the Moon, manned mission to Mars.
WORKING FOR A KINDER, GENTLER AMERICA
Child care legislation sent to Congress; also provides
increases for Head Start.
Points of Light initiative announced.
Full funding of McKinney Homeless Assistance Act proposed.
Campaign Finance Reform legislation sent to Congress.
Government-wide Ethics Act sent to Congress.
Legislation ensuring civil rights protections for disabled
Americans passed the Senate.
###
November 7, 1989
BUILDING A BETTER AMERICA
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION
KEEPING THE ECONOMY STRONG
Record expansion now in its 83rd month as of October; over
20 million new jobs created; 119 million Americans working.
Initial budget agreement reached with Congress.
Capital gains tax cut passed the House of Representatives.
Savings and loan bailout legislation enacted into law.
Minimum wage proposal accepted with minor modifications.
Brady plan on Third World debt implemented.
SEIZING INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEACE
American-Soviet meeting to be held December 2-3; Formal
summit to take place late spring or early summer.
$490 million aid package for Poland and Hungary proposed.
Paris Economic Summit held; allied agreement to concerted
efforts assisting reform in Poland and Hungary.
NATO Summit held; President declares era holds great promise
for prospect of "Europe whole and free."
Central American bipartisan accord reached with Congress.
New initiatives proposed on START and Chemical Weapons.
INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE
Education Summit held with Governors and Cabinet.
Educational Excellence Act sent to Congress.
National Drug Control Strategy proposed; Address to Nation.
Clean Air Act revisions sent to Congress.
Natural Gas Decontrol legislation enacted into law.
Comprehensive Violent Crime Act sent to Congress.
Space exploration commitment made to Space station,
permanent presence on the Moon, manned mission to Mars.
WORKING FOR A KINDER, GENTLER AMERICA
Child care legislation sent to Congress; also provides
increases for Head Start.
Points of Light initiative announced.
Full funding of McKinney Homeless Assistance Act proposed.
Campaign Finance Reform legislation sent to Congress.
Government-wide Ethics Act sent to Congress.
Legislation ensuring civil rights protections for disabled
Americans passed the Senate.
###
November 7, 1989
BUILDING A BETTER AMERICA
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION
KEEPING THE ECONOMY STRONG
Record expansion now in its 83rd month as of October; over
20 million new jobs created; 119 million Americans working.
Initial budget agreement reached with Congress.
Capital gains tax cut passed the House of Representatives.
Savings and loan bailout legislation enacted into law.
Minimum wage proposal accepted with minor modifications.
Brady plan on Third World debt implemented.
SEIZING INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEACE
American-Soviet meeting to be held December 2-3; Formal
summit to take place late spring or early summer.
$490 million aid package for Poland and Hungary proposed.
Paris Economic Summit held; allied agreement to concerted
efforts assisting reform in Poland and Hungary.
NATO Summit held; President declares era holds great promise
for prospect of "Europe whole and free."
Central American bipartisan accord reached with Congress.
New initiatives proposed on START and Chemical Weapons.
INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE
Education Summit held with Governors and Cabinet.
Educational Excellence Act sent to Congress.
National Drug Control Strategy proposed; Address to Nation.
Clean Air Act revisions sent to Congress.
Natural Gas Decontrol legislation enacted into law.
Comprehensive Violent Crime Act sent to Congress.
Space exploration commitment made to Space station,
permanent presence on the Moon, manned mission to Mars.
WORKING FOR A KINDER, GENTLER AMERICA
Child care legislation sent to Congress; also provides
increases for Head Start.
Points of Light initiative announced.
Full funding of McKinney Homeless Assistance Act proposed.
Campaign Finance Reform legislation sent to Congress.
Government-wide Ethics Act sent to Congress.
Legislation ensuring civil rights protections for disabled
Americans passed the Senate.
###
November 7, 1989
BUILDING A BETTER AMERICA
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION
KEEPING THE ECONOMY STRONG
Record expansion now in its 83rd month as of October; over
20 million new jobs created; 119 million Americans working.
Initial budget agreement reached with Congress.
Capital gains tax cut passed the House of Representatives.
Savings and loan bailout legislation enacted into law.
Minimum wage proposal accepted with minor modifications.
Brady plan on Third World debt implemented.
SEIZING INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEACE
American-Soviet meeting to be held December 2-3; Formal
summit to take place late spring or early summer.
$490 million aid package for Poland and Hungary proposed.
Paris Economic Summit held; allied agreement to concerted
efforts assisting reform in Poland and Hungary.
NATO Summit held; President declares era holds great promise
for prospect of "Europe whole and free."
Central American bipartisan accord reached with Congress.
New initiatives proposed on START and Chemical Weapons.
INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE
Education Summit held with Governors and Cabinet.
Educational Excellence Act sent to Congress.
National Drug Control Strategy proposed; Address to Nation.
Clean Air Act revisions sent to Congress.
Natural Gas Decontrol legislation enacted into law.
Comprehensive Violent Crime Act sent to Congress.
Space exploration commitment made to Space station,
permanent presence on the Moon, manned mission to Mars.
WORKING FOR A KINDER, GENTLER AMERICA
Child care legislation sent to Congress; also provides
increases for Head Start.
Points of Light initiative announced.
Full funding of McKinney Homeless Assistance Act proposed.
Campaign Finance Reform legislation sent to Congress.
Government-wide Ethics Act sent to Congress.
Legislation ensuring civil rights protections for disabled
Americans passed the Senate.
###
November 7, 1989
BUILDING A BETTER AMERICA
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION
KEEPING THE ECONOMY STRONG
CEA
Record expansion now in its 83rd month as of October; over
20 million new jobs created; 119 million Americans working.
Initial budget agreement reached with Congress.
Capital gains tax cut passed the House of Representatives.
Savings and loan bailout legislation enacted into law.
Minimum wage proposal accepted with minor modifications. Jeff Jeff
Brady plan on Third World debt implemented.
SEIZING INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEACE
American-Soviet meeting to be held December 2-3; Formal
summit to take place late spring or early summer.
$490 million aid package for Poland and Hungary proposed.
Paris Economic Summit held; allied agreement to concert
efforts assisting reform in Poland and Hungary.
NATO Summit held; President declares era holds great promise
for prospect of "Europe whole and free."
Central American bipartisan accord reached with Congress.
New initiatives proposed on START and Chemical Weapons.
INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE
Education Summit held with Governors and Cabinet.
Educational Excellence Act sent to Congress.
National Drug Control Strategy proposed; Address to Nation.
Clean Air Act revisions sent to Congress.
Natural Gas Decontrol legislation enacted into law.
Comprehensive Violent Crime Act sent to Congress.
Space exploration commitment made to Space station,
permanent presence on the Moon, manned mission to Mars.
WORKING FOR A KINDER, GENTLER AMERICA
Child care legislation sent to Congress; also provides
increases for Head Start.
Points of Light initiative announced.
Full funding of McKinney Homeless Assistance Act proposed.
Campaign Finance Reform legislation sent to Congress.
Government-wide Ethics Act sent to Congress.
Legislation ensuring civil rights protections for disabled
Americans passed the Senate.
Jeff
###
guidance from Daman's shop on GRH
tanet Hale
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION
ECONOMY:
- Longest peace time economic expansion, over 20 million new
jobs created; 119 million Americans working.
- Initial Budget agreement to must GRM largits. of no new taxes
Cap gains - passed Savings House and
enacted into low
Loan crisis resolution - Financial Institution
Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989
- Minimum Wage proposal accepted with minor modifications.
- Implementation of the Brady Plan on Third World Debt
INTERNATIONAL: Beyond containment policy estab
- Aid package for Poland and Hungary proposed money
- Paris Economic Summit held
- NATO Summit held; Condi Rice ne USSR + Eastern Evr.
- Central American Accord agreed to ? Coota Rican visit
- American-Soviet Summit meeting set for December 2 - 3
- New initiatives proposed on START and Chemical
Weapons; significant progress on nuclear testing
INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE:
- Education Excellence Act introduced
- Charlottesville Education Summit held not 4 education goels
Jeffersorian compact w/ gors
to be estabo
- Clean Air Act Revisions proposed
- Natural Gas Deregulation enacted
- Crime Package - Comprehensive Violent Crime Act of 1989
proposed
- National Drug Control Strategy proposed
KINDER, GENTLER AMERICA:
- Child Care - Working Family Child Care Assistance Act of
1989 proposed; substantial increase for Head Start
- Points of Light Initiative introduced
Disabled - # neglats legislation /civil rts proposed
- Homelessness - funding of McKinney Act proposed
Campaign Finance Reform sent to Congress
- Government-Wide Ethics Act proposal sent to Congress
three. step commitment to Space
Hugo Earthguake disaster relief
November 7, 1989
BUILDING A BETTER AMERICA
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION
SUMMARY
KEEPING THE ECONOMY STRONG
Record expansion now in its 83rd month as of October; over
20 million new jobs created; 119 million Americans working.
Initial Budget agreement reached with Congress.
Capital Gains Tax Cut passed the House of Representatives.
Savings and Loan bailout legislation enacted into law.
Minimum wage proposal accepted with minor modifications.
Brady Plan on Third World debt implemented.
SEIZING INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEACE
$490m
American-Soviet meeting to be held December 2-3; Formal
summi set for date? to take place late spring
concert efforts
$** Aid package for Poland and Hungary proposed.
NATO Paris Summit Economic held Summit new held. policy allied named? agreement proposal to assist reform in Poland/Hungan,
Central American bipartisan accord reached with Congress.
New initiatives proposed on START and Chemical Weapons.
NA
Pres declares noids Europee Whole E Free
era
INVESTING promise IN OUR FUTURE prospect of
Education Summit held with Governors and Cabinet.
Educational Excellence Act sent to Congress.
National Drug Control Strategy proposed; Address to Nation.
Clean Air Act revisions sent to Congress.
Natural Gas Decontrol legislation enacted into law.
Comprehensive Violent Crime Act sent to Congress.
Space exploration commitment made to Space station,
permanent presence on the Moon, manned mission to Mars.
WORKING FOR A KINDER, GENTLER AMERICA
Child Care legislation sent to Congress; provides a new
refundable child care tax credit, increases for Head Start.
Points of Light Initiative introduced. amounced
Full funding of McKinney Homeless Assistance Act proposed.
Campaign Finance Reform legislation sent to Congress.
Government-wide Ethics Act sent to Congress.
A
Civil rights protections for disabled Americans sought.
Legislation ensuring
passed the Senate.
# # #
12
restore real competition to American Congressional
elections.
Civil Rights: The President has called upon Congress to
reauthorize the Commission on Civil Rights and is committed
to seek legislation extending civil rights protections to
disabled Americans. The Administration has endorsed the
Hate Crimes Bill which provides for the collection of data
about crimes motivated by race, religion, or ethnicity. The
Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice has
vigorously pursued the enforcement of the Fair Housing
Amendments Act of 1988 which became effective in March.
Ethics: President Bush sent his ethics reform legislation,
any
The Government-Wide Ethics Act to the Congress on April 12,
action?
and he issued an Executive Order announcing ethical
principles for the conduct of executive branch employees.
Whistleblower Protection: On April 10, the President signed
S. 20, the "Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989." This law
will strengthen the protections and procedural rights
available to those federal employees who report misdeeds and
mismanagement.
###
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
September 1, 1989
MEMORANDUM TO:
OPINION LEADERS
FROM:
DAVID DEMAREST
ДД
ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT FOR COMMUNICATIONS
SUBJECT:
THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS
We thought you would be interested in the latest review of
Bush Administration initiatives and accomplishments. The
President has moved forward on a number of fronts, in both
domestic and foriegn policy, to set the agenda for America.
We have enclosed a copy of the entire document, as well as a
shorter executive summary.
1
September 1, 1989
BUILDING A BETTER AMERICA
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION
SUMMARY
As the Bush Administration enters its eighth month, the
President has set the agenda on a number of fronts domestically
-- from the environment and education to the fight against drugs
and crime. The economy is strong, with the current economic
expansion continuing to set new records and create new jobs.
Meanwhile, America continues to lead in the international arena,
after President Bush's success at two multilateral summits paved
the way for greater understanding among the allies and improved
relations with the Soviet Union and the Eastern Bloc nations.
KEEPING THE ECONOMY STRONG
Record expansion: During the current economic expansion --
now in its 80th month as of July -- over 20 million jobs
have been created and the unemployment rate has fallen to
levels not seen in 15 years. Income levels have risen
sharply and growth in industrial output is nearly double
that of Western Europe. Consumer price inflation has
remained under five percent for the past seven years.
Budget agreement: The President has put forth a budget which
restrains overall growth of spending and meets the Gramm-
Rudman-Hollings targets -- with no new taxes in fiscal year
1990. The President and Congress announced on April 14 a
budget plan to reduce the estimated fiscal year 1990 deficit
by about $64 billion below fiscal year 1989.
Savings and Loans: On August 9, the President signed the
Financial Institution Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act
of 1989 to begin solving the savings and loan crisis. The
President's plan calls for tough standards to help ensure
such a crisis never happens again.
Third World debt: The Administration has taken the lead in
finding a way to reduce the debt burden and encourage
economic growth in developing countries. At the
Administration's urging, the IMF and World Bank have set
aside funds to support debt reduction programs for
developing countries.
2
Capital gains tax cut: The President has sent to the
Congress a proposal that would re-establish a capital gains
differential to lower the cost of capital, create incentives
for investment, make American business more competitive and
create new job opportunities.
Minimum wage: The President, by vetoing the excessive
across-the-board increase in the minimum wage proposed by
Congress, preserved job opportunities for the disadvantaged
and blunted the adverse economic impact such a move would
have had.
International Trade: The Bush Administration successfully
broke a stalemate in the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade
negotiations and advanced its proposal to correct and
prevent trade distortions in agriculture. It is engaged in
bilateral trade talks with important trading partners to
discuss structural impediments to expanding trade and
encourage them to open their markets to our exports.
SEIZING INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEACE
"Europe Whole and Free": In two State visits to Europe, a
series of major speeches and frequent meetings and contacts
with European leaders, the President has set forth a vision
of a new Europe -- secure, prosperous, whole and free --
successfully culminating four decades of Western policies
and seizing an historic opportunity to move toward ending
the postwar division of Europe.
Poland and Hungary: The President's strong support for
unprecedented democratic change in Hungary and Poland was
highlighted by his visits to those nations, where he
encouraged internal reconciliation and cooperation. The
President offered political and moral support as well as
economic and trade incentives for further steps along the
path of reform.
Economic summit: Under President Bush's leadership, the
Paris Economic Summit agreed to support Polish and Hungarian
economic reforms and to concert efforts for maximum
effectiveness of Western assistance. The Economic Summit
also made further progress on key U.S. economic and
political objectives such as a strengthened debt strategy,
economic policy coordination, completion of the Uruguay
Round by December 1990 and, for the first time,
international cooperation on protection of the environment.
3
"Beyond Containment": The President has welcomed the
extraordinary political and economic changes underway in the
Soviet Union. He has established a new American policy,
"Beyond Containment," that seeks to integrate the Soviet
Union into the community of nations. The President has
accelerated the pace of arms control negotiations with the
Soviet Union, and broadened the dialogue beyond human
rights, bilateral and regional issues to include problems of
global concern such as the environment, terrorism, and
narcotics.
NATO Summit: The President seized the arms control
initiative and won the strong support of our Allies with a
bold proposal to reduce conventional forces in Europe.
Calling for completion of negotiations within six months to
a year, the President proposed deep cuts in manpower and
equipment.
China: Visiting China soon after taking office, the
President underscored the long-term strategic importance of-
the Sino-U.S. relationship and his support for the process
of reform. In response to the subsequent suppression of the
democratic movement in China, the President took actions
making clear that we do not condone repression even while he
worked to preserve the basic elements of this important
relationship.
Central American Accord: The President and Congressional
leaders agreed on March 24 on a bipartisan strategy for
peace and democracy in Central America. With the agreement,
for the first time in years, the U.S. has a broadly
supported strategy aimed at bringing about free and fair
elections in Nicaragua.
Strengthening our Strategic Deterrent: After a thorough
review of U.S. defense strategy, the President submitted to
the Congress a defense budget that will modernize our
ability to deter war including, after more than a decade of
debate, specific proposals for two mobile ICBMs. The
strategic modernizations program also includes the
revolutionary B-2 bomber and funding to support an informed
development and deployment decision on the Strategic Defense
Initiative within the next four years.
4
INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE
Education: The President proposed and sent to the Congress a
comprehensive education package, The Educational Excellence
Act of 1989, which includes seven initiatives -- on merit
and magnet schools, alternative certification of teachers,
excellence awards for teachers, emergency grants to help
urban schools to fight drugs, increased funding for
endowments at Historically Black Colleges, and a National
Science Scholars program.
Natural Gas Deregulation: On July 26, the President signed
into law the Wellhead Decontrol Act of 1989, which ends all
remaining price controls on natural gas. This will phase
out all federal price controls on natural gas by January 1,
1993.
Clean Air Act revisions: On July 21, President Bush
transmitted to the Congress the first revisions to the Clean
Air Act since 1977. His legislation is designed to
drastically reduce three major threats to the nation's
environment: acid rain, urban air pollution, and toxic air
emissions.
Hazardous waste: The President announced that he will seek
new legislation to ban all exports of hazardous waste unless
an agreement already exists with the receiving country to
provide for its safe handling.
Ozone depletion: In order to prevent further damage to the
earth's protective ozone layer, the President has called for
a total worldwide phaseout of CFCs by the year 2000,
provided safe substitutes are available.
Medical Waste: The EPA has begun a tracking system for
medical wastes and the Justice Department has started a task
force to prosecute those who deliberately dump medical
wastes into the Nation's waters -- the first step in a
comprehensive program to help keep our beaches clean. The
President is committed to end ocean dumping of sewage sludge
by 1991.
Wetlands: The President is committed to "no net loss of
wetlands" and is directing his executive branch agencies,
through an interagency task force, to make recommendations
to achieve that goal. He has also proposed $206 million in
his budget to expand parks and wildlife refuges.
Combatting Violent Crime: President Bush transmitted to
Congress The Comprehensive Violent Crime Control Act of 1989
proposing measures to augment enforcement and prosecution,
5
strengthen current law, restrict certain semi-automatic
weapons, and expand prison capacity.
Fighting Drug Abuse: The Administration is requesting over
$6 billion in funding for FY 1990 to fight the drug war,
increasing outlays by nearly $1 billion for drug education,
treatment and enforcement. In September, the President will
announce the Administration's new drug strategy and budget.
Drug-free Public Housing: The Bush Administration is working
to make public housing drug free, and to protect the rights
of decent, law-abiding public housing residents.
D.C. Anti-Drug Efforts: The Office of National Drug Control
Policy has responded to the drug emergency in the District
of Columbia by expanding the Metropolitan Area Task Force,
by working for more prisons, and by providing support in
enforcement and local treatment efforts.
Space: The President announced a three-step commitment to
establish America's preeminence in space -- Space Station
Freedom, a permanent presence on the Moon, and a manned
mission to Mars -- for this and future generations.
Transportation: The Department of Transportation has begun
a public outreach effort to develop a national
transportation policy to move America into the 21st Century.
WORKING FOR A KINDER, GENTLER AMERICA
Child Care: The President has transmitted to the Congress a
child care package, the Working Family Child Care Assistance
Act of 1989 which provides a new refundable child care tax
credit of up to $1000 per child under age four, for low
income working families. This legislation will also make
the existing Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit refundable,
and does not discriminate against religious or family-based
child care or a parent who chooses not to work outside the
home.
Head Start: The President has also transmitted legislation
to Congress that would allow a $250 million increase in Head
Start FY 90 appropriations. This will pay for enrollment of
up to 95,000 more four-year-olds in the program.
National Service: The President is spearheading a movement
to call all Americans to national service. He has announced
the formation of a foundation known as the Points of Light
Initiative to identify, enlarge and duplicate those
community service initiatives that are working and to
discover and encourage new leaders.
6
Welfare Reform: The Administration issued proposed rules on
April 18 to implement the major provisions of the Family
Support Act of 1988, as the next step in welfare reform.
The Administration is proposing to spend $3.6 billion over
the next five years to implement the JOBS program. The Act
will help reduce the number of individuals who need welfare.
O
Medicaid: To address the all-too-high infant mortality rate,
the Administration forwarded to Congress legislation to
improve federal Medicaid assistance to pregnant women,
infants, and children.
Homelessness: President Bush has called for full funding of
the McKinney Homeless Assistance Act and for a new $50
million matching grant program to promote public/private
partnerships to assist homeless families and the mentally
ill.
Enterprise Zones: President Bush asked Congress to enact
labor and capital-based incentives -- through enterprise
zones -- to create jobs and entrepreneurial activity in our
most distressed communities.
Campaign Finance Reform: On June 29, the President
announced comprehensive campaign finance proposals designed
to lessen the power of special economic interests and
restore real competition to American Congressional
elections.
Civil Rights: The President has called upon Congress to
reauthorize the Commission on Civil Rights and is committed
to seek legislation extending civil rights protections to
disabled Americans. The Administration has endorsed the
Hate Crimes Bill which provides for the collection of data
about crimes motivated by race, religion, or ethnicity. The
Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice has
vigorously pursued the enforcement of the Fair Housing
Amendments Act of 1988 which became effective in March.
Ethics: President Bush sent his ethics reform legislation,
The Government-Wide Ethics Act, to the Congress on April 12,
and he issued an Executive Order announcing ethical
principles for the conduct of executive branch employees.
Whistleblower Protection: On April 10, the President signed
S. 20, the "Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989." This law
will strengthen the protections and procedural rights
available to those federal employees who report misdeeds and
mismanagement.
# # #
September 1, 1989
BUILDING A BETTER AMERICA
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION
KEEPING THE ECONOMY STRONG
Maintaining the current expansion with low inflation is the
key to improving standards of living, increasing job
opportunities for all Americans, and increasing investment in
productive capacity. Economic performance during this expansion
has been exceptionally good with extraordinary job growth. The
policies of the Bush Administration are designed to preserve this
strong record.
Record peacetime expansion: The current expansion reached 80
months in July. This is the second longest peacetime
economic expansion in U.S. history, tying the World War II
expansion of 80 months (from June 1938 - February 1945).
Job creation: Over 20 million new jobs have been created
during this expansion, and this year, the unemployment rate
has reached levels not seen in 15 years. During this
decade, America has created more new jobs than Japan and the
nations of Western Europe combined.
Record income: Real per capita disposable personal income --
personal income after taxes and inflation -- has risen 19
percent during this expansion. Real median family income
set a new record in 1987, the last year for which data are
available.
Industrial output: During this expansion, American
industrial output has grown almost 40 percent, nearly double
Western Europe's growth rate in industrial output.
Higher national saving and investment: During the first
nine months of fiscal year 1989, the Federal Government
budget deficit was less than during the same period in the
previous fiscal year. Partly due to the discipline of
Gramm-Rudman-Hollings, the Federal deficit has declined from
6.3 percent of GNP in fiscal year 1983 to an estimated 2.9
percent this fiscal year. The personal saving rate rose to
5.5 percent during the first half of this year. Real, non-
residential fixed investment as a percent of real GNP rose
to 12.4 percent in the second quarter of 1989.
Inflation under control: Consumer price inflation has
remained under five percent in each of the seven years from
1982 to 1988, and the recent slowing in economic growth to a
sustainable rate will lessen price pressures in the near
future.
2
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
Presenting a budget: The President put forth a budget that
provides for investment in future growth and competitiveness
and addresses our fundamental obligations for national
security and support of the needy. It also provides
sufficient funds to advance high-priority initiatives such
as protection of the environment, the fight against drugs,
and the improvement of our educational system. The
President's budget restrains overall growth of spending and
meets the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings targets with no new taxes
in Fiscal Year 1990.
Reaching a budget agreement with Congress: The President
and Congress announced on April 14 a budget plan to reduce
the estimated Fiscal Year 1990 deficit by about $64 billion
below Fiscal Year 1989. The plan called for reducing the
deficit to $99.4 billion, meeting the targets set by the
Gramm-Rudman-Hollings law. This is the first budget
agreement in recent years reached before the start of the
budget year and not framed in the context of crisis.
Savings and Loan reform: The President signed the Financial
Institution Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989 on
August 9. This legislation comes to grips with the problems
facing our savings and loan industry, and will safeguard and
stabilize America's financial system. The Act assures that
the long developing problems in our savings industry will
never happen again. It significantly reforms the regulation
of the thrift industry and separates the chartering of the
institutions from the insurance of deposits. It establishes
strict new guidelines to assure the solvency of thrift
institutions in the future, including new capital
requirements, and sets stiff penalties for wrongdoing by the
officers of insured institutions. Further, the act
establishes new agencies to remedy existing problems in the
thrift industry and authorizes funds to finance the
restructuring of insolvent institutions.
Addressing the international debt problem: The
Administration has taken the lead in encouraging commercial
banks to reduce the debt and debt service burdens of
developing countries. At the Administration's urging, the
IMF and World Bank have agreed to support debt and debt
service reduction in conjunction with their debtor programs
to promote investment, growth, and the return of flight
capital to these countries. The recent agreement between
Mexico and commercial banks, with its emphasis on debt and
debt service reduction, attests to the viability of the
Administration's plan for resolving the debt problems of
developing countries.
3
Capital gains tax rate cut: A lower tax rate for long-term
capital gains is a key element of President Bush's economic
program. It will reduce the cost of capital in the U.S.,
create incentives for investment, and increase job
opportunities. The President's proposal includes:
--
A 45 percent capital gains exclusion for qualified
capital gains, or a 15 percent maximum capital gains
tax rate at the taxpayer's option.
--
A phased-in increase in the qualifying holding period
from one year to three years.
-- An exemption from the capital gains tax for families
earning under $20,000.
Minimum wage proposal: The President believes in keeping job
opportunities available for youth and for those seeking to
enter the economic mainstream. The excessive across-the-
board increase in the minimum wage which was passed by
Congress would have had an adverse economic impact and cut
job opportunities drastically. Accordingly, the President
vetoed the bill. The veto was later sustained.
International Trade: The Administration is forcefully
promoting the opening of world markets. It successfully
broke a stalemate in the Uruguay Round's mid-term review and
put in place a framework, agreed to by the 96 member
nations, to correct and prevent trade distortions in
agriculture. It is engaged in bilateral trade talks with
important trading partners to encourage them to open their
markets to our exports. The Administration has created a
high level interagency group to assure that U.S. trade and
investment interests are addressed as the European Community
works to create a single market in 1992.
Steel imports: The President initiated a two-and-a-half
year Steel Trade Liberalization Program designed to phase
out, in a responsible and orderly manner, the Voluntary
Restraint Arrangements (VRAs) that currently limit steel
imports into the U.S. and to negotiate an international
consensus to address trade-distorting practices.
Agricultural initiatives: The Administration has announced
additional advance deficiency payments of 10 percent to
producers of wheat, feed grains, rice, and upland cotton.
In addition, a top-level Working Group on Rural Development
was established to focus on an action-oriented agenda.
National Energy Plan: The President directed the Secretary
of Energy to develop a comprehensive national energy
strategy for the nation. The strategy will help the nation
meet our energy security and environmental responsibilities
and, at the same time, allow a sensible mix of energy
sources to protect America's economic competitiveness.
4
SEIZING INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEACE
The President assumed office at a time of dramatic and
vibrantly promising change in the world. From the Third World to
the Communist World, surging internal forces of democratization
and economic reform have shaken Marxist and other authoritarian
regimes to their foundations. As they respond to these internal
crises, unprecedented opportunities have arisen to resolve
longstanding international disputes, to reduce the level of arms
and military expenditures, and to promote the further spread of
market economies and political pluralism. While this worldwide
process of reform and change has and will inevitably encounter
setbacks, a new course in history has been set. The President is
determined to move on a broad front to seize this unique
opportunity to strengthen world peace and the course of freedom.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
O
"Europe Whole and Free": In two State visits to Europe, a
series of major speeches, and frequent meetings and contacts
with European leaders, the President has set forth a vision
of a new Europe -- secure, prosperous, whole, and free --
successfully culminating four decades of Western policies
and seizing an historic opportunity to move toward ending
the postwar division of Europe.
Western Europe: The President for the first time has
declared the United States' unequivocal support for European
unity and defense cooperation. He has proposed new
mechanisms for consultation with the EC Commission and
member states as the European Community heads toward a
single market in 1992. Seeing the resurgence of Western
Europe as a triumph of Western values and principles, the
President welcomed its success, confident that a mature
partnership will serve mutual interests.
NATO Summit: At the successful NATO Summit, the President's
vision of Europe as well as agreement on a new conventional
arms reduction initiative helped restore Alliance unity and
confidence and define the Alliance's future agenda.
Eastern Europe: As Poland and Hungary take unprecedented
steps toward pluralism, democracy, and market economic
policies, the United States has signaled its strong support.
These steps provide an opportunity not only for a democratic
transition in these countries, but also for a broader
process of European reconciliation. Offering political and
moral support as well as economic assistance during his
visits to Poland and Hungary, the President proposed major
new initiatives for Poland and Hungary designed to further
structural change that promises improved economic
performance.
5
O
Poland: Following up on the program he announced earlier
this year in Hamtramck, Michigan, the President called for
action to declare Poland a beneficiary country under the
U.S. Generalized System of Preferences. The Overseas
Private Investment Corporation will be authorized to operate
in Poland, and the US is proposing a private business
agreement that will promote contacts between the private
sectors of both countries. The President will ask Congress
to provide a $100 million fund to help capitalize and
invigorate the Polish private sector and encourage the World
Bank to move ahead with new loans to help Polish agriculture
and industry. He has encouraged other members of the Paris
Club to agree to an expeditious rescheduling of Polish debt.
Finally, he will ask Congress for $15 million in a
cooperative venture with Poland to help fight air and water
pollution in Krakow.
O
Hungary: The President will ask Congress to authorize a $25
million fund as a source of new capital to invigorate the
Hungarian private sector. As soon as new emigration
legislation has passed the Hungarian Parliament, the
President will inform Congress that Hungary is in full
compliance with the restrictions of the Jackson-Vanik
Amendments of the 1974 Trade Act. This will make Hungary
eligible for Most-Favored-Nation tariff treatment for the
maximum period allowable under the law. The President also
declared Hungary a beneficiary country under our Generalized
System of Preferences which will allow duty free entry of
Hungarian products into the U.S. market. He also called for
legislation to allow OPIC to operate in Hungary, and for
greater scientific, technical, educational, and cultural
exchanges between the US and Hungary. The President will
seek to establish an International Environmental Center for
Central and Eastern Europe in Budapest. Finally, he
announced that the Peace Corps would operate in Hungary to
enhance English language training -- the first time in a
European country.
The Economic Summit in Paris: The mission of the President's
historic visit to Poland and Hungary and his successful
effort at the Paris Economic Summit was to promote concerted
actions among the industrial democracies in the economic and
political arenas. The industrial democracies demonstrated
their unity, as they dealt with a variety of issues on the
international economic agenda, as well as the problem of
drugs and the environment.
6
O
"Beyond Containment": Seeing an historic process of change
in the Soviet Union, the President has declared his
intention to move beyond the successful policy of
containment of Soviet power to a new policy whose goal is
integrating the Soviet Union into the world community as a
constructive partner. Positive changes so far in Soviet
policies -- in human rights, economic reforms, and
settlement of some international conflicts ---- need to be
encouraged and broadened. The United States will be ready
to respond to such further developments. Already:
-- The US-Soviet dialogue on conflicts in regions of the
Third World has resumed intensively, and discussions
have begun on a new range of global problems that
require global cooperation, such as terrorism, the
environment, and narcotics.
-- In arms control, the President has accelerated the pace
of negotiations, with new American initiatives on
reducing conventional forces in Europe (endorsed by the
NATO Summit), and on strategic arms reduction. U.S.
initiatives also aim at early progress on verification.
issues to further early agreement on strategic arms
reductions.
O
China: On his visit to China in February, the President
emphasized the long-term strategic importance of the U.S.-
China relationship and his support for the process of
reform. In response to the subsequent tragic suppression of
the democratic movement in China, the President ordered the
suspension of all government-to-government sales and
commercial exports of weapons, suspension of visits between
US and Chinese military leaders, sympathetic review of
requests by Chinese students in the United States to extend
their stay, and review of other aspects of US-PRC bilateral
relations. The President's policy signals that repression
cannot be condoned. But it also seeks to preserve the basic
elements of a strategically important relationship that has,
itself, played a major part in China's recent policy of
reform and openness -- and can do so again in the future.
Latin America: The President has established a close,
working relationship with Latin American neighbors to foster
a new partnership on hemisphere problems like democracy,
debt, and drugs. Relations with Mexico are closer than at
any time in recent memory. The U.S. has also worked with
the Organization of American States to develop a hemispheric
consensus urging Manuel Noriega to leave power.
O
Bipartisan Accord on Central America: On March 24, the
President and Congress agreed on a bipartisan plan for peace
and democracy in Central America:
-- Regional peace: The President and Congress agreed that
the region's democracies deserve our support, that
7
Nicaragua's subversion of its neighbors must end, and
that Soviet support for violence and subversion in the
hemisphere must also end.
--
Humanitarian aid: Congress agreed to support the
Administration's request for continued humanitarian
assistance for the Nicaraguan Resistance at current
levels through the elections in Nicaragua scheduled for
February, 1990.
--
Democracy: The Communist Sandinistas are being put to
the test to permit a real democratic electoral contest
for political power, fulfilling the promises of
democratic pluralism that they have made (and broken)
so often before.
Middle East: The Administration is devoted to promoting
progress toward peace in the Middle East by supporting the
Government of Israel's May 14 initiative calling for
Palestinian elections in the occupied territories. These
elections can be a step toward a comprehensive peace
settlement that assures Israel's security and the legitimate
political rights of the Palestinians. The Administration
also has supported the efforts of the Arab League and others
to end the internecine warfare and slaughter of innocents,
and to bring peace to Lebanon.
A Strong Defense: The President proposed to Congress a two-
missile plan to maintain a strong, modernized strategic
deterrent. The plan to deploy the rail-mobile Peacekeeper
and the road-mobile Small ICBM will also give the U.S.
momentum in strategic arms control negotiations.
--
The President proposed to Congress an integrated
package on strategic modernization that capitalizes on
the revolutionary potential of the B-2, and modernizes
the third leg of the Triad -- essential also to our
arms control positions.
--
The President requested a funding level of $4.6 billion
for the Strategic Defense Initiative to support an
informed development and deployment decision within the
next four years.
--
The President also directed the Department of Defense
to implement its recent blueprint to strengthen and
streamline the weapons procurement process.
Air Transportation Security: The Administration has taken
several measures to enhance security and efficiency in the
air transportation system. These efforts include:
-- A proposed 17% increase in the budget for the Federal
Aviation Administration.
--
New requirements for installation of explosive
detection devices in high-risk airports.
--
Intense international negotiations to enhance security
abroad.
8
INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE
Record economic growth has provided America with the
opportunity to invest in a brighter future. Because America's
available resources are limited, the President's programs are
designed to focus our efforts on those initiatives most likely to
create growth in the years ahead.
EDUCATION
The President's actions to improve education are guided by
four key principles: that excellence and success in education
should be recognized and rewarded; that federal funding should be
targeted to those who need it most; that choice and flexibility -
- for educators, parents and students --- are important to
educational reform and to achieving excellence; and finally, that
greater accountability is needed in the education system to
assure that students are actually receiving the highest quality
education.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
On April 5, the President proposed and sent to the Congress
a comprehensive education package, The Educational
Excellence Act of 1989, which includes seven initiatives:
-- The Presidential Merit Schools program -- to reward
schools that are making substantial progress in raising
students' educational achievement, creating a safe and
drug-free school environment, and reducing the drop-out
rate.
-- A new Magnet Schools of Excellence program -- to
support the establishment, expansion or enhancement of
magnet schools, increasing parental choice and
improving quality education.
:
The Alternative Certification of Teachers and
Principals program -- to assist States interested in
broadening the pool of talent from which to recruit
teachers and principals.
President's Awards for Excellence in Education -- to be
awarded to public and private school teachers in every
state who meet the highest standards of excellence.
--
Drug-free Schools Urban Emergency Grants -- to provide
special assistance to selected urban school districts
that are disproportionately affected by drug
trafficking and abuse.
A National Science Scholars program -- to provide
college scholarships to high school seniors who have
excelled in the sciences and mathematics.
Additional Funding Authorization for Endowment Matching
Grants at Historically Black Colleges and Universities
-- to strengthen HBCUs by building endowments, an
especially effective way to create financial strength
and long-term security.
9
On April 24, the President issued a new Executive Order on
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Highlights of the order include:
:
Establishing the President's Board of Advisors on
Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the
Department of Education.
:
Directing Federal agencies to increase opportunities
for HBCU involvement in Federal programs and directing
the Secretary of Education to develop an Annual Federal
Plan for Assistance.
Calling for the White House Office of National Service,
along with other Federal offices to work to encourage
private sector support of HBCUs.
THE ENVIRONMENT
President Bush, a long-time environmentalist, has taken
strong action to protect the environment. He believes that
environmental protection, conservation, and wise management of
our national resources must have a high priority on our national-
agenda.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
o
Clean Air legislation: President Bush transmitted to the
Congress a sweeping program to ensure clean air for all
Americans. The President's plan, transmitted to Congress on
July 21, 1989, calls for the first revisions to the Clean
Air Act since 1977 and is designed to curb three major
threats to the nation's environment: acid rain, urban air
pollution, and toxic air emissions.
:
Acid Rain: Sulfur dioxide emissions that cause acid
rain will be cut, by ten million tons from 1980 levels,
and nitrogen oxide levels cut by two million tons -- by
the end of this century. The Administration's bill is
the only one which imposes a cap on emissions after the
year 2000 to ensure that a ten million ton reduction is
maintained. Companies will be allowed to trade credits
among themselves for reductions they make, so that they
can decide how to bring aggregate emissions down as
cost-effectively as possible.
--
Urban Air Pollution: By employing a mix of federal
measures and state initiatives, this legislation will
sharply cut air pollution in our cities by the year
2000. The federal measures alone will cut hydrocarbon
emissions -- which contribute to urban ozone -- by
almost half.
Currently, 100 cities don't meet Federal air
quality standards. This legislation will bring all but
4 cities into attainment with the ozone standard by
2000 -- and within 20 years, even Los Angeles, Houston
and New York.
10
In the nine urban areas with the greatest smog
problems, smog will be cut through the introduction of
alternative fuels and clean-fueled vehicles. The
President is calling for the phased-in introduction of
a half a million clean-fueled vehicles in 1995,
building up to sales of a million clean-fueled cars a
year in 1997 through 2004.
Automobile and fuel companies will be allowed to
trade reduction credits among themselves.
--
Toxic Air Emissions: All categories of airborne toxic
chemicals should be cut by 75 percent by the year 2000.
In its first phase, the President's plan should
substantially reduce the number of deaths from cancer
that are suspected to have been caused by toxic
industrial air emissions.
Until now, because of an unworkable law, the EPA
has been able to regulate only seven of the 280 known
air toxics. The President's plan will allow EPA to do
its job better, and will apply the most advanced
industrial technology available to control these
airborne poisons. The legislation promises certifiable
progress in regulating sources of toxic air emissions
on a set schedule.
Natural Gas Decontrol: On July 26, the President signed into
law the Wellhead Decontrol Act of 1989, which ends all
remaining price controls on natural gas. This will phase
out all federal price controls on natural gas by January 1,
1993.
Alaskan oil spill: A Cabinet-level team was sent to assess
the Alaskan oil spill, and a joint federal-state resource
recovery team was convened. The National Transportation
Safety Board is investigating the accident. Exxon has
accepted responsibility for paying for the clean up, and for
employing local civilian personnel necessary to control
further damage.
The Departments of Transportation and Interior, as well
as the EPA, are coordinating the long-range planning to
restore the environment of Prince William Sound, and the
President has ordered a review of existing contingency plans
for accidents such as this.
The President also proposed, and the Paris Summit
leaders accepted, a call for increased international efforts
on oil spill prevention and clean-up.
11
oil Spill Legislation: On May 11, the Administration
transmitted to Congress comprehensive oil pollution
liability and compensation legislation that broadens and
strengthens our existing patchwork of laws. The bill
provides swift and assured compensation for clean up costs
and damages through a liability system based on strict
financial responsibility requirements for shipowners backed
up by an oil-industry financed fund.
Outer Continental Shelf Task Force: The President set up a
special task force to address environmental concerns about
oil and gas drilling off the coasts of California and
Florida. Pending the recommendations of the task force, the
President has postponed drilling activity in these areas.
Cleaning up hazardous wastes: The President announced he
will be seeking new legislation to amend the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act in order to give the United
States Government authority to ban all exports of hazardous
waste unless an agreement exists with the receiving country.
providing for the safe handling and management of those
wastes.
Also, Secretary of Energy Watkins has put forth a plan of
action to identify and prioritize clean up of defense and
civilian radioactive waste; meet the Nation's security
needs; and comply with environmental safety and health laws.
Superfund: The President is reinvigorating the Superfund
hazardous waste clean-up program by directing EPA to take a
number of steps, including more aggressive action to force
private parties to clean up sites, stepped-up cost recovery,
and better use of existing emergency cleanup authorities.
EPA is also now finishing a priority review of Superfund to
improve its operation.
Ozone depletion: The President has called for a total
worldwide phaseout of CFCs by the year 2000, provided safe
substitutes are available, in order to prevent further
damage to the Earth's protective ozone layer.
Clean water and coastlines: The EPA has started a tracking
system for medical wastes and the Justice Department has set
up a task force to prosecute those who deliberately dump
medical waste into our Nation's waters -- the first step in
a comprehensive program to help keep our beaches clean. The
President is committed to end ocean dumping of sewage sludge
by 1991.
Wetlands, National Parks, and Reforestation: The President
is also committed to "no net loss of wetlands" and is
directing his executive branch agencies, through an
12
interagency task force, to make recommendations to achieve
that goal.
He has proposed $206 million in new money to expand and
improve America's parks and wildlife refuges, preserving
them for generations to come.
Finally, the President supports increased lending by
the development banks for reforestation programs and the
implementation of the Tropical Forest Action Plan. He also
endorsed the call by the Paris Economic Summit for an end to
world deforestation.
Asbestos Ban: On July 7, EPA announced an almost total
phase-out of nearly all uses of asbestos by 1997. The ban
will prohibit importation, manufacture, and processing of
asbestos, a carcinogen linked to lung cancer and
mesothelioma (lung and chest cancer).
Improved Forecasting: The Commerce Department announced that
beginning in Fiscal Year 1990, the National Weather Service
will modernize and restructure its operations to provide
improved forecasting and weather warning systems. The new
system will include advanced weather radar, observation
automation, and a new communications system.
Ban on African Elephant Ivory: On June 9, the
Administration announced an importation ban of African
elephant ivory into the United States, making importation
from any country illegal. The ban covers both commercial
and non-commercial shipments.
COMBATTING VIOLENT CRIME
The President is working to strengthen the nation's criminal
justice system and the Federal, state, and local law enforcement
partnership.
Four principles underlie the goals of our criminal justice
system and the means for accomplishing them: First, to protect
citizens and their property; to hold those who commit violent
crimes accountable for their actions; to have as the objective of
our criminal justice system the swift and certain apprehension,
prosecution and incarceration of those who break the law; and
finally, to ensure a sustained, cooperative effort by Federal,
state and local law enforcement authorities.
13
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
On May 15, 1989, President Bush announced to Congress The
Comprehensive Violent Crime Control Act of 1989 to combat
violent crime. The President's initiative includes:
-- Strengthening Current Laws: The President is calling
on Congress to double the mandatory minimum penalties
--
from five years to ten years in Federal prison --
for the use of semi-automatic weapons in violent
crimes or drug felonies.
In addition, the Attorney General has been
directed to advise America's prosecutors to end plea
bargaining for violent Federal firearms offenses.
President Bush called on Congress to enact the
steps necessary to implement the death penalty for the
most serious Federal crimes, and urged state Governors
to match these Federal initiatives -- new mandatory
sentencing, tougher rules on plea bargaining, and
implementing the death penalty -- in the States.
--
Controlling Certain Semi-Automatic Weapons: In July,
the Administration took action to ban permanently the
importation of any semi-automatic weapons which fail to
meet the criteria specified in the Gun Control Act of
1968. The President also called for the closing of
loopholes which allow access to such guns by certain
classes of criminals, and he proposed prohibiting the
importation, manufacture, sale, or transfer of gun
magazines of more than 15 rounds.
--
Augmenting Enforcement: The President has directed the
Attorney General and the Treasury Secretary, working
together with state and local authorities, to launch a
comprehensive, coordinated offensive against America's
most violent criminals.
President Bush requested funding for the hiring of
825 new Federal agents and staff -- 375 at the Bureau
of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; 300 at the FBI; and
150 Deputy U.S. Marshals. This offensive, including
state and local enforcement authorities, will target
violent criminals and repeat offenders.
-- Enhancing Prosecution: The President proposed
increased funds for the U.S. Attorneys Offices to
support 1,600 new prosecutors and staff, and increased
funds for the Justice Department Criminal Division to
support 168 new positions, to handle drug cases,
weapons offenses, and other priority matters.
-- Expanding Prison Capacity: The President proposed an
additional $1 billion for Federal prison construction,
bringing the total FY 1990 budget to over $1.5 billion.
This will add 24,000 new Federal prison beds to the
current 31,000 beds, an increase of nearly 80%.
Anti-Drug Treaty: The Vienna Convention on Illicit
Drugs and Psychotropic Substances was strongly endorsed
14
by the President and forwarded to the Congress for
ratification. This is the most significant and far-
reaching treaty on international cooperation on drug
trafficking, chemical precursor control, and money
laundering ever to be signed.
FIGHTING DRUG ABUSE
We have begun a new war on drugs in this country. The
President believes a four-pronged approach is key: education,
treatment, interdiction, and enforcement. The policy of this
Administration is "zero tolerance." No amount of illegal drug
use is acceptable. This means dealing with both supply and
demand.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
O
Budget: The Administration is requesting over $6 billion in
funding for FY 1990 to fight the drug war, increasing
outlays by nearly $1 billion for drug education, treatment,
and enforcement.
Education: The Administration is requesting nearly $1.1
billion for education and prevention efforts. This is a 16
percent increase over 1989 and includes funding for ongoing
programs and new initiatives.
Treatment: Funding for drug abuse treatment will be
increased 18 percent. The Administration is proposing over
$700 million to expand the nation's capacity to provide
treatment, particularly to indigent, disadvantaged youth and
expectant mothers.
Interdiction and enforcement: The Administration is
proposing over $4.6 billion for law enforcement programs in
1990, a 20 percent increase over 1989. This constitutes
about 70 percent of President Bush's proposed drug budget.
Substantial increases are requested in funding to strengthen
inspection, interdiction, intelligence efforts and crop
eradication programs, such as Operation Snow Cap, a
federally led effort which broke up a $1.2 billion drug
money-laundering operation. The President strongly supports
the death penalty for drug kingpins who commit drug-related
murders, and will appoint judges who will strongly enforce
the drug penalty laws.
Public housing: The Bush Administration is working to make
public housing drug free, to protect the rights of the vast
majority of decent, law-abiding public housing residents.
15
The Department of Housing and Urban Development has acted:
--
To modify its lease and grievance procedures to
facilitate eviction of those involved in drug related
criminal activity;
--
To make drug use and trafficking a lease violation
subject to eviction proceedings;
--
To target federal assistance to anti-drug security
measures;
--
To revoke federal housing subsidies from those dealing
in drugs;
--
To involve the private and voluntary sectors in efforts
to rid public housing of drugs and give residents,
especially young people, a stake in their communities
and their futures.
In addition, the Office of National Drug Control Policy has
responded to the drug emergency in the District of Columbia
by expanding the Metropolitan Area Task Force, working for
more prisons, and providing FBI support in enforcement. The
assistance of the National Institute on Drug Abuse will be
provided to local treatment efforts. The Department of
Education will assist the District with 50 percent more
funds for drug prevention programs in city schools and the
Department of Labor will support employee assistance
programs and work with the business community to increase
job training for youth.
16
WORKING FOR A KINDER, GENTLER AMERICA
CHILD CARE
The changing nature of American society heightens the need
for quality, affordable, accessible child care. President Bush
wants to put choice in the hands of parents so that they -- not
government -- have the power to select the best and safest
environment for their children.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
Child care: The President transmitted to Congress a child
care package, the Working Family Child Care Assistance Act
of 1989 which:
-- Provides a new refundable child care tax credit of up
to $1000 per child under age four, for low income
working families.
-- Makes the existing Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit
refundable.
--
Does not discriminate against religious- or family-
based child care, or a parent who chooses not to work
outside the home.
The President has directed Secretary of Labor Dole to
determine whether the barriers to securing liability
insurance impair employer-provided child care.
Head Start: The President also transmitted legislation to
Congress that would allow a $250 million increase in Head
Start appropriation. This will pay for enrollment of up to
95,000 more four-year-olds in the program.
NATIONAL SERVICE
The President's vision to help overcome the disintegration
of communities and build a better America -- not through a
federal government program, but through a nationwide service
movement -- has three facets: First, to issue a call to all
individuals and institutions to claim society's problems as their
own; second, to identify, enlarge, and duplicate what is working;
and third, to discover and encourage new leaders.
17
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
President Bush called on:
--
all Americans and all American institutions, large and
small, to make service of central value in their daily
life and work;
-- all heads of business and professional firms to include
community service among the factors considered in
making hiring, compensation, and promotion decisions;
-- newspapers, magazines, radio and television stations,
cable systems, and other media institutions to identify
service opportunities, spotlight successful service
initiatives and profile outstanding community leaders
regularly;
--
all state and local education boards to uphold the
value of service and to encourage students, faculty,
and personnel to serve others;
--
college and university presidents to recognize the
value of community service in considering applicants,
and to encourage and uphold the value of community
service; and
--
not-for-profit service organizations to build the
capacity to absorb increasing numbers of volunteers in
purposeful roles.
Identifying, Enlarging, and Recreating What is Working: The
President announced the formation of a foundation called the
Points of Light Initiative, of which he will serve as
Honorary Chairman. Formed to identify and build upon what
is working, the Foundation will act as a magnet for the best
ideas and brightest programs in community service and then
serve as a catalyst to project these ideas into every corner
of the nation. The Administration will ask Congress for $25
million annually to support this initiative, which will, in
turn, seek matching funds from the private sector. The
President has also encouraged all governors nationwide to
join the movement by forming State and local Points of Light
working groups composed of outstanding leaders.
:
Through a Foundation initiative called the ServNet
Project, professional firms, corporations, unions,
schools, religious, civic and not-for-profit groups
will be asked to donate the services of some of their
most talented and promising people for a period of
time. Peer-to-peer working groups will be formed to
bring examples of successful initiatives and provide
training, technical assistance and other support to
enable other institutions to devise similar
initiatives.
-- Another Foundation initiative, the ServLink Project,
will help improve existing methods of matching would-be
volunteers with purposeful service opportunities.
ServLink will stimulate the development, through
18
private sector resources, of "technology links" like
telephones, computers and other mechanisms between
those who wish to serve and those needing service in
the inquirer's own community.
--
The Foundation will also discover and encourage new
leaders by recognizing them through two new
Presidential Awards:
--
The National Service Youth Leadership Awards will
be given each year to individuals.
--
The President's Build A Community Awards will
honor those people and institutions who have
worked together to rebuild families or to
revitalize communities.
WELFARE REFORM
The Administration has developed a major new education and
job training program to help recipients of Aid to Families with
sufficient. Dependent Children move off welfare and become economically self-
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
O
Welfare reform: The Administration issued proposed rules on
April 18 to implement the major provisions of the Family
Support Act of 1988. The proposed rules are designed to:
--
Target job training assistance to those who are most
likely to benefit and who are most at risk for long-
term welfare dependency.
--
Provide maximum level of flexibility to AFDC parents in
obtaining the type of child care that best suits their
needs, consistent with the Administration's legislative
proposals on child care.
--
The Administration is proposing to spend $3.6 billion
over the next five years implementing the JOBS Program.
The changes will pay benefits in the future by reducing
the number of individuals on welfare. It is estimated
that 138,000 families will be able to leave welfare
rolls over five years as a result of this program.
EXPANSION OF MEDICAID
The President is committed to health care for disadvantaged
mothers and children, the disabled, and poor, aged Americans and
has called for full funding of Medicaid. This will mean $39.1
billion for FY 1990, an increase of $4.8 billion, or 12.2 percent
over the FY 1989 level.
19
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
Expanding Medicaid: On April 18, the Administration
forwarded to Congress proposed legislation to make federal
programs better serve pregnant women, infants and children.
The legislation would expand the population Medicaid serves,
making Medicaid available to 1.9 million more women when
they become pregnant. The legislation would:
-- Increase by 374,000 the number of pregnant women and
children eligible for Medicaid.
--
Foster greater participation in Medicaid by eligible
pregnant women by providing services to pregnant women
who are presumed eligible for Medicaid before a formal
eligibility determination is made; and by requiring
States to operate outreach programs in areas of high
infant mortality.
--
Entitle all children under age 6, who are receiving
Food Stamps, to receive Medicaid coverage for
immunizations.
:
Make the Federal match rate for State administration
expenses a uniform 50 percent by gradually reducing
special administrative match rates that currently range
from 75 to 100 percent. The savings that would result
would allow the legislative eligibility changes
proposed by the President to be implemented within the
current program's spending level.
AIDS INITIATIVES
The Administration is moving on a number of fronts to combat
the spread of AIDS.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
O
AIDS Clinical Trials Information Service: The Administration
developed a computerized listing though which AIDS patients
and their doctors can get up-to-date information on clinical
trials of AIDS drugs and vaccines -- whether federally or
privately sponsored.
Experimental AIDS Drugs: The Administration unveiled a
proposal to allow wider availability of experimental
therapeutic drugs used to treat people with AIDS.
AIDS Prevention Guide: The Administration joined the
National Parent Teachers Association in announcing the
distribution of 500,000 copies of the "AIDS Prevention
Guide" for use by parents and teachers nationwide.
$5 Million Transferred to States -- AIDS Treatment: The
Administration transferred $5 million from currently
appropriated AIDS funds to assist needy individuals in the
purchase of treatment drugs for AIDS and related conditions.
20
HOUSING/HOMELESSNESS
President Bush has taken a number of steps to create an
"opportunity society" of jobs, growth, housing, and hope for
Americans in need of a helping hand.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
Homelessness: In his FY 1990 budget, the President has
proposed to provide over $1 billion in federal resources to
help end homelessness and pave the way to jobs, permanent
housing, health care, and human dignity. President Bush's
proposal calls for fully funding the McKinney Homeless
Assistance Act and for a new $50 million matching grant
program to promote public/private partnerships to assist
homeless families and the mentally ill.
Affordable housing: President Bush is committed to making
housing more affordable for low-income families, and to
provide homeownership opportunities to the disadvantaged and
to young families. President Bush proposes to assist
through HUD subsidized Housing Programs, 109,000 new
families in need of low-income housing, and has pledged to
maintain HUD assistance to those families already being
helped. President Bush has also signalled his commitment to
helping poor residents in public housing to become
homeowners through resident management and ownership
programs.
OPPORTUNITY
Enterprise zones: President Bush has called for enactment of
enterprise zone legislation, to give urban and rural areas
the opportunity for jobs and hope for the future. President
Bush asked Congress to enact labor and capital-based
incentives to create jobs and entrepreneurial activity in
our most distressed communities.
Job training: The Administration has sent to the Congress a
proposal to improve the Job Training Partnership Act by
targeting its resources on the poor and at risk youth and
adults who most need job training to get jobs and become
economically self sufficient.
CIVIL RIGHTS
The Bush Administration is committed to reaching out to
minorities, and to striking down barriers to free and open
access. The President has made it clear that this Administration
will not tolerate discrimination, bigotry, or bias of any kind.
21
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
Civil rights: The Administration has taken a number of
actions to protect the civil rights of all Americans,
including several court actions in key civil rights cases.
-- The President has called upon Congress to reauthorize
the Commission on Civil Rights.
-- The Administration endorsed the Hate Crimes Bill, which
provides for the collection of data about crimes
motivated by race, religion, or ethnicity.
--
On March 13, Attorney General Thornburgh announced the
filing of Federal housing discrimination lawsuits
seeking monetary damages and civil penalties under the
expanded enforcement authority of the Fair Housing
Amendments Act of 1988.
Disabled Americans: The Administration has reached a
consensus with key Senators on legislation that would
fulfill the President's commitment to seek legislation
extending civil rights protections to disabled Americans.
The legislation, called the Americans with Disabilities Act,
would represent the most significant expansion of federal
civil rights laws in the past two decades.
--
The legislation would provide unprecedented protections
against discrimination in the area of employment,
requiring reasonable accommodation be made by employers
for disabled potential employees.
-- Most new buildings would be required to be accessible
to the disabled.
-- Stores, providers of services, restaurants, and other
public accommodations would be required to serve
disabled Americans to the same extent they serve able
Americans.
Whistleblower protection: On April 10, the President signed
S. 20, the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989. This law
will strengthen the protections and procedural rights
available to those federal employees who report misdeeds and
mismanagement.
--
This new law will enhance the authority of the Office
of Special Counsel, and whistleblowers will also now be
allowed to take their cases to the Merit Systems
Protection Board.
--
The statute alters the legal burdens of proof, making
it easier for employees to be vindicated when they are
wrongfully penalized by their supervisors for
whistleblowing activities.
22
ETHICS
High ethical standards for all Americans are central to this
Administration, and we will enforce them -- strictly,
comprehensively, fairly, and to the letter and spirit of the law.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
o
Campaign Finance Reform: The President's comprehensive
campaign finance reform proposal is designed to lessen the
power of special economic interests and restore real
competition to American Congressional elections. The
package seeks to enhance the role of individuals and the
highlights: political parties in elections. Below are proposal
:
Eliminating political action committees (PACs)
supported by corporations, unions, or trade
associations, and prohibiting such entities from paying
for the overhead or administrative costs of any
independent PAC.
:
Strengthening political parties by increasing the
amounts they can spend on behalf of congressional
candidates. This source of funds would permit
legislators to spend less time fundraising, would
ensure that challengers have greater resources with
which to challenge incumbents, and would further limit
the role of special economic interests in elections.
--
Addressing the problem of the "permanent Congress" by
reforms designed to reduce the unwarranted advantages
of incumbency. Specifically, the proposals would
prohibit the personal use of excess campaign funds,
drastically reduce Congressional mailings under the
frank, ban the rollover of campaign funds from one
election cycle to the next, and legislate fair neutral
criteria for the redistricting of Congressional and
legislative lines that will follow the 1990 census.
:
Fully disclosing all soft money spent by the political
parties and all labor unions, corporations, and trade
associations to influence a federal election.
Ethics: The President issued an Executive Order creating
the President's Commission on Federal Ethics Law Reform,
which submitted its recommendations to the President on
March 9. Responding to the Commission's work, the
President, on April 12, sent to Congress a sweeping ethics
bill and simultaneously issued an Executive Order announcing
ethical principles for the conduct of executive branch
employees. The President's proposals include:
Expanded financial disclosure for all three branches of
government.
23
Deferral of tax liability when an individual is
required by his or her agency to divest assets in order
to avoid conflicts of interest.
--
Strengthened rules against abusing the revolving door
for private gain at the expense of the public trust.
These rules would also apply for the first time to the
legislative branch.
--
A 25 percent pay raise for federal judges was proposed
in the legislation submitted April 12. On July 7, the
President submitted separate legislation calling for
pay increases for certain specialized professionals and
other senior officials in the executive branch.
--
Congressional Honoraria Ban: On July 7, the President
also sent to Congress legislation that calls for the
elimination of Congressional honoraria by 1991, making
the next Congress honoraria-free. This proposal is
linked to the enactment by Congress of a pay increase
for its Members, and the President will work with
Congress toward this end.
--
The extension of the federal statute that prohibits
employees from taking actions that enhance their own
financial interest to cover legislative and judicial
branch employees (but not Members of Congress).
--
The extension of the Independent Counsel statute to
cover the Congress and the creation of an independent,
non-partisan Congressional Ethics Office.
--
A ban on outside earned income for full-time non-career
Presidential appointees in the executive branch,
including non-career employees in the immediate White
House Office.
# # #
1
September 1, 1989
BUILDING A BETTER AMERICA
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION
SUMMARY
As the Bush Administration enters its eighth month, the
President has set the agenda on a number of fronts domestically
-- from the environment and education to the fight against drugs
and crime. The economy is strong, with the current economic
expansion continuing to set new records and create new jobs.
Meanwhile, America continues to lead in the international arena,
after President Bush's success at two multilateral summits paved
the way for greater understanding among the allies and improved
relations with the Soviet Union and the Eastern Bloc nations.
KEEPING THE ECONOMY STRONG
Record expansion: During the current economic expansion --
now in its 80th month as of July -- over 20 million jobs
have been created and the unemployment rate has fallen to
levels not seen in 15 years. Income levels have risen
sharply and growth in industrial output is nearly double
that of Western Europe. Consumer price inflation has
remained under five percent for the past seven years.
Budget agreement: The President has put forth a budget which
restrains overall growth of spending and meets the Gramm-
Rudman-Hollings targets -- with no new taxes in fiscal year
1990. The President and Congress announced on April 14 a
budget plan to reduce the estimated fiscal year 1990 deficit
by about $64 billion below fiscal year 1989.
Savings and Loans: On August 9, the President signed the
Financial Institution Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act
of 1989 to begin solving the savings and loan crisis. The
President's plan calls for tough standards to help ensure
such a crisis never happens again.
Third World debt: The Administration has taken the lead in
finding a way to reduce the debt burden and encourage
economic growth in developing countries. At the
Administration's urging, the IMF and World Bank have set
aside funds to support debt reduction programs for
developing countries.
2
Capital gains tax cut: The President has sent to the
Congress a proposal that would re-establish a capital gains
differential to lower the cost of capital, create incentives
for investment, make American business more competitive and
create new job opportunities.
Minimum wage: The President, by vetoing the excessive
across-the-board increase in the minimum wage proposed by
Congress, preserved job opportunities for the disadvantaged
and blunted the adverse economic impact such a move would
have had.
International Trade: The Bush Administration successfully
broke a stalemate in the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade
negotiations and advanced its proposal to correct and
prevent trade distortions in agriculture. It is engaged in
bilateral trade talks with important trading partners to
discuss structural impediments to expanding trade and
encourage them to open their markets to our exports.
SEIZING INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEACE
"Europe Whole and Free": In two State visits to Europe, a
series of major speeches and frequent meetings and contacts
with European leaders, the President has set forth a vision
of a new Europe --- secure, prosperous, whole and free
successfully culminating four decades of Western policies
and seizing an historic opportunity to move toward ending
the postwar division of Europe.
Poland and Hungary: The President's strong support for
unprecedented democratic change in Hungary and Poland was
highlighted by his visits to those nations, where he
encouraged internal reconciliation and cooperation. The
President offered political and moral support as well as
economic and trade incentives for further steps along the
path of reform.
Economic summit: Under President Bush's leadership, the
Paris Economic Summit agreed to support Polish and Hungarian
economic reforms and to concert efforts for maximum
effectiveness of Western assistance. The Economic Summit
also made further progress on key U.S. economic and
political objectives such as a strengthened debt strategy,
economic policy coordination, completion of the Uruguay
Round by December 1990 and, for the first time,
international cooperation on protection of the environment.
3
"Beyond Containment": The President has welcomed the
extraordinary political and economic changes underway in the
Soviet Union. He has established a new American policy,
"Beyond Containment," that seeks to integrate the Soviet
Union into the community of nations. The President has
accelerated the pace of arms control negotiations with the
Soviet Union, and broadened the dialogue beyond human
rights, bilateral and regional issues to include problems of
global concern such as the environment, terrorism, and
narcotics.
NATO Summit: The President seized the arms control
initiative and won the strong support of our Allies with a
bold proposal to reduce conventional forces in Europe.
Calling for completion of negotiations within six months to
a year, the President proposed deep cuts in manpower and
equipment.
China: Visiting China soon after taking office, the
President underscored the long-term strategic importance of-
the Sino-U.S. relationship and his support for the process
of reform. In response to the subsequent suppression of the
democratic movement in China, the President took actions
making clear that we do not condone repression even while he
worked to preserve the basic elements of this important
relationship.
Central American Accord: The President and Congressional
leaders agreed on March 24 on a bipartisan strategy for
peace and democracy in Central America. With the agreement,
for the first time in years, the U.S. has a broadly
supported strategy aimed at bringing about free and fair
elections in Nicaragua.
Strengthening our Strategic Deterrent: After a thorough
review of U.S. defense strategy, the President submitted to
the Congress a defense budget that will modernize our
ability to deter war including, after more than a decade of
debate, specific proposals for two mobile ICBMs. The
strategic modernizations program also includes the
revolutionary B-2 bomber and funding to support an informed
development and deployment decision on the Strategic Defense
Initiative within the next four years.
4
INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE
Education: The President proposed and sent to the Congress a
comprehensive education package, The Educational Excellence
Act of 1989, which includes seven initiatives -- on merit
and magnet schools, alternative certification of teachers,
excellence awards for teachers, emergency grants to help
urban schools to fight drugs, increased funding for
endowments at Historically Black Colleges, and a National
Science Scholars program.
Natural Gas Deregulation: On July 26, the President signed
into law the Wellhead Decontrol Act of 1989, which ends all
remaining price controls on natural gas. This will phase
out all federal price controls on natural gas by January 1,
1993.
Clean Air Act revisions: On July 21, President Bush
transmitted to the Congress the first revisions to the Clean
Air Act since 1977. His legislation is designed to
drastically reduce three major threats to the nation's
environment: acid rain, urban air pollution, and toxic air
emissions.
Hazardous waste: The President announced that he will seek
new legislation to ban all exports of hazardous waste unless
an agreement already exists with the receiving country to
provide for its safe handling.
Ozone depletion: In order to prevent further damage to the
earth's protective ozone layer, the President has called for
a total worldwide phaseout of CFCs by the year 2000,
provided safe substitutes are available.
Medical Waste: The EPA has begun a tracking system for
medical wastes and the Justice Department has started a task
force to prosecute those who deliberately dump medical
wastes into the Nation's waters -- the first step in a
comprehensive program to help keep our beaches clean. The
President is committed to end ocean dumping of sewage sludge
by 1991.
O.
Wetlands: The President is committed to "no net loss of
wetlands" and is directing his executive branch agencies,
through an interagency task force, to make recommendations
to achieve that goal. He has also proposed $206 million in
his budget to expand parks and wildlife refuges.
Combatting Violent Crime: President Bush transmitted to
Congress The Comprehensive Violent Crime Control Act of 1989
proposing measures to augment enforcement and prosecution,
5
strengthen current law, restrict certain semi-automatic
weapons, and expand prison capacity.
Fighting Drug Abuse: The Administration is requesting over
$6 billion in funding for FY 1990 to fight the drug war,
increasing outlays by nearly $1 billion for drug education,
treatment and enforcement. In September, the President will
announce the Administration's new drug strategy and budget.
Drug-free Public Housing: The Bush Administration is working
to make public housing drug free, and to protect the rights
of decent, law-abiding public housing residents.
D.C. Anti-Drug Efforts: The Office of National Drug Control
Policy has responded to the drug emergency in the District
of Columbia by expanding the Metropolitan Area Task Force,
by working for more prisons, and by providing support in
enforcement and local treatment efforts.
Space: The President announced a three-step commitment to
establish America's preeminence in space -- Space Station
Freedom, a permanent presence on the Moon, and a manned
mission to Mars -- for this and future generations.
Transportation: The Department of Transportation has begun
a public outreach effort to develop a national
transportation policy to move America into the 21st Century.
WORKING FOR A KINDER, GENTLER AMERICA
Child Care: The President has transmitted to the Congress a
child care package, the Working Family Child Care Assistance
Act of 1989 which provides a new refundable child care tax
credit of up to $1000 per child under age four, for low
income working families. This legislation will also make
the existing Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit refundable,
and does not discriminate against religious or family-based
child care or a parent who chooses not to work outside the
home.
Head Start: The President has also transmitted legislation
to Congress that would allow a $250 million increase in Head
Start FY 90 appropriations. This will pay for enrollment of
up to 95,000 more four-year-olds in the program.
National Service: The President is spearheading a movement
to call all Americans to national service. He has announced
the formation of a foundation known as the Points of Light
Initiative to identify, enlarge and duplicate those
community service initiatives that are working and to
discover and encourage new leaders.
6
O
Welfare Reform: The Administration issued proposed rules on
April 18 to implement the major provisions of the Family
Support Act of 1988, as the next step in welfare reform.
The Administration is proposing to spend $3.6 billion over
the next five years to implement the JOBS program. The Act
will help reduce the number of individuals who need welfare.
O
Medicaid: To address the all-too-high infant mortality rate,
the Administration forwarded to Congress legislation to
improve federal Medicaid assistance to pregnant women,
infants, and children.
Homelessness: President Bush has called for full funding of
the McKinney Homeless Assistance Act and for a new $50
million matching grant program to promote public/private
partnerships ill. to assist homeless families and the mentally
O
Enterprise Zones: President Bush asked Congress to enact
labor and capital-based incentives --- through enterprise
zones -- to create jobs and entrepreneurial activity in our
most distressed communities.
Campaign Finance Reform: On June 29, the President
announced comprehensive campaign finance proposals designed
to lessen the power of special economic interests and
restore real competition to American Congressional
elections.
Civil Rights: The President has called upon Congress to
reauthorize the Commission on Civil Rights and is committed
to seek legislation extending civil rights protections to
disabled Americans. The Administration has endorsed the
Hate Crimes Bill which provides for the collection of data
about crimes motivated by race, religion, or ethnicity. The
Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice has
vigorously pursued the enforcement of the Fair Housing
Amendments Act of 1988 which became effective in March.
Ethics: President Bush sent his ethics reform legislation,
The Government-Wide Ethics Act, to the Congress on April 12,
and he issued an Executive Order announcing ethical
principles for the conduct of executive branch employees.
Whistleblower Protection: On April 10, the President signed
S. 20, the "Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989." This law
will strengthen the protections and procedural rights
available to those federal employees who report misdeeds and
mismanagement.
# # #
September 1, 1989
BUILDING A BETTER AMERICA
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION
KEEPING THE ECONOMY STRONG
Maintaining the current expansion with low inflation is the
key to improving standards of living, increasing job
opportunities for all Americans, and increasing investment in
productive capacity. Economic performance during this expansion
has been exceptionally good with extraordinary job growth. The
policies of the Bush Administration are designed to preserve this
strong record.
Record peacetime expansion: The current expansion reached 80
months in July. This is the second longest peacetime
economic expansion in U.S. history, tying the World War II
expansion of 80 months (from June 1938 - February 1945).
Job creation: Over 20 million new jobs have been created
during this expansion, and this year, the unemployment rate
has reached levels not seen in 15 years. During this
decade, America has created more new jobs than Japan and the
nations of Western Europe combined.
Record income: Real per capita disposable personal income --
personal income after taxes and inflation -- has risen 19
percent during this expansion. Real median family income
set a new record in 1987, the last year for which data are
available.
Industrial output: During this expansion, American
industrial output has grown almost 40 percent, nearly double
Western Europe's growth rate in industrial output.
Higher national saving and investment: During the first
nine months of fiscal year 1989, the Federal Government
budget deficit was less than during the same period in the
previous fiscal year. Partly due to the discipline of
Gramm-Rudman-Hollings, the Federal deficit has declined from
6.3 percent of GNP in fiscal year 1983 to an estimated 2.9
percent this fiscal year. The personal saving rate rose to
5.5 percent during the first half of this year. Real, non-
residential fixed investment as a percent of real GNP rose
to 12.4 percent in the second quarter of 1989.
Inflation under control: Consumer price inflation has
remained under five percent in each of the seven years from
1982 to 1988, and the recent slowing in economic growth to a
sustainable rate will lessen price pressures in the near
future.
2
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
Presenting a budget: The President put forth a budget that
provides for investment in future growth and competitiveness
and addresses our fundamental obligations for national
security and support of the needy. It also provides
sufficient funds to advance high-priority initiatives such
as protection of the environment, the fight against drugs,
and the improvement of our educational system. The
President's budget restrains overall growth of spending and
meets the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings targets -- with no new taxes
in Fiscal Year 1990.
Reaching a budget agreement with Congress: The President
and Congress announced on April 14 a budget plan to reduce
the estimated Fiscal Year 1990 deficit by about $64 billion
below Fiscal Year 1989. The plan called for reducing the
deficit to $99.4 billion, meeting the targets set by the
Gramm-Rudman-Hollings law. This is the first budget
agreement in recent years reached before the start of the
budget year and not framed in the context of crisis.
Savings and Loan reform: The President signed the Financial
Institution Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989 on
August 9. This legislation comes to grips with the problems
facing our savings and loan industry, and will safeguard and
stabilize America's financial system. The Act assures that
the long developing problems in our savings industry will
never happen again. It significantly reforms the regulation
of the thrift industry and separates the chartering of the
institutions from the insurance of deposits. It establishes
strict new guidelines to assure the solvency of thrift
institutions in the future, including new capital
requirements, and sets stiff penalties for wrongdoing by the
officers of insured institutions. Further, the act
establishes new agencies to remedy existing problems in the
thrift industry and authorizes funds to finance the
restructuring of insolvent institutions.
Addressing the international debt problem: The
Administration has taken the lead in encouraging commercial
banks to reduce the debt and debt service burdens of
developing countries. At the Administration's urging, the
IMF and World Bank have agreed to support debt and debt
service reduction in conjunction with their debtor programs
to promote investment, growth, and the return of flight
capital to these countries. The recent agreement between
Mexico and commercial banks, with its emphasis on debt and
debt service reduction, attests to the viability of the
Administration's plan for resolving the debt problems of
developing countries.
3
Capital gains tax rate cut: A lower tax rate for long-term
capital gains is a key element of President Bush's economic
program. It will reduce the cost of capital in the U.S.,
create incentives for investment, and increase job
opportunities. The President's proposal includes:
--
A 45 percent capital gains exclusion for qualified
capital gains, or a 15 percent maximum capital gains
tax rate at the taxpayer's option.
--
A phased-in increase in the qualifying holding period
from one year to three years.
--
An exemption from the capital gains tax for families
earning under $20,000.
Minimum wage proposal: The President believes in keeping job
opportunities available for youth and for those seeking to
enter the economic mainstream. The excessive across-the-
board increase in the minimum wage which was passed by
Congress would have had an adverse economic impact and cut
job opportunities drastically. Accordingly, the President
vetoed the bill. The veto was later sustained.
International Trade: The Administration is forcefully
promoting the opening of world markets. It successfully
broke a stalemate in the Uruguay Round's mid-term review and
put in place a framework, agreed to by the 96 member
nations, to correct and prevent trade distortions in
agriculture. It is engaged in bilateral trade talks with
important trading partners to encourage them to open their
markets to our exports. The Administration has created a
high level interagency group to assure that U.S. trade and
investment interests are addressed as the European Community
works to create a single market in 1992.
Steel imports: The President initiated a two-and-a-half
year Steel Trade Liberalization Program designed to phase
out, in a responsible and orderly manner, the Voluntary
Restraint Arrangements (VRAs) that currently limit steel
imports into the U.S. and to negotiate an international
consensus to address trade-distorting practices.
Agricultural initiatives: The Administration has announced
additional advance deficiency payments of 10 percent to
producers of wheat, feed grains, rice, and upland cotton.
In addition, a top-level Working Group on Rural Development
was established to focus on an action-oriented agenda.
National Energy Plan: The President directed the Secretary
of Energy to develop a comprehensive national energy
strategy for the nation. The strategy will help the nation
meet our energy security and environmental responsibilities
and, at the same time, allow a sensible mix of energy
sources to protect America's economic competitiveness.
4
SEIZING INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEACE
The President assumed office at a time of dramatic and
vibrantly promising change in the world. From the Third World to
the Communist World, surging internal forces of democratization
and economic reform have shaken Marxist and other authoritarian
regimes to their foundations. As they respond to these internal
crises, unprecedented opportunities have arisen to resolve
longstanding international disputes, to reduce the level of arms
and military expenditures, and to promote the further spread of
market economies and political pluralism. While this worldwide
process of reform and change has and will inevitably encounter
setbacks, a new course in history has been set. The President is
determined to move on a broad front to seize this unique
opportunity to strengthen world peace and the course of freedom.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
O
"Europe Whole and Free": In two State visits to Europe, a
series of major speeches, and frequent meetings and contacts
with European leaders, the President has set forth a vision
of a new Europe secure, prosperous, whole, and free
successfully culminating four decades of Western policies
and seizing an historic opportunity to move toward ending
the postwar division of Europe.
Western Europe: The President for the first time has
declared the United States' unequivocal support for European
unity and defense cooperation. He has proposed new
mechanisms for consultation with the EC Commission and
member states as the European Community heads toward a
single market in 1992. Seeing the resurgence of Western
Europe as a triumph of Western values and principles, the
President welcomed its success, confident that a mature
partnership will serve mutual interests.
NATO Summit: At the successful NATO Summit, the President's
vision of Europe as well as agreement on a new conventional
arms reduction initiative helped restore Alliance unity and
confidence and define the Alliance's future agenda.
Eastern Europe: As Poland and Hungary take unprecedented
steps toward pluralism, democracy, and market economic
policies, the United States has signaled its strong support.
These steps provide an opportunity not only for a democratic
transition in these countries, but also for a broader
process of European reconciliation. Offering political and
moral support as well as economic assistance during his
visits to Poland and Hungary, the President proposed major
new initiatives for Poland and Hungary designed to further
structural change that promises improved economic
performance.
5
Poland: Following up on the program he announced earlier
this year in Hamtramck, Michigan, the President called for
action to declare Poland a beneficiary country under the
U.S. Generalized System of Preferences. The Overseas
Private Investment Corporation will be authorized to operate
in Poland, and the US is proposing a private business
agreement that will promote contacts between the private
sectors of both countries. The President will ask Congress
to provide a $100 million fund to help capitalize and
invigorate the Polish private sector and encourage the World
Bank to move ahead with new loans to help Polish agriculture
and industry. He has encouraged other members of the Paris
Club to agree to an expeditious rescheduling of Polish debt.
Finally, he will ask Congress for $15 million in a
cooperative venture with Poland to help fight air and water
pollution in Krakow.
Hungary: The President will ask Congress to authorize a $25
million fund as a source of new capital to invigorate the
Hungarian private sector. As soon as new emigration
legislation has passed the Hungarian Parliament, the
President will inform Congress that Hungary is in full
compliance with the restrictions of the Jackson-Vanik
Amendments of the 1974 Trade Act. This will make Hungary
eligible for Most-Favored-Nation tariff treatment for the
maximum period allowable under the law. The President also
declared Hungary a beneficiary country under our Generalized
System of Preferences which will allow duty free entry of
Hungarian products into the U.S. market. He also called for
legislation to allow OPIC to operate in Hungary, and for
greater scientific, technical, educational, and cultural
exchanges between the US and Hungary. The President will
seek to establish an International Environmental Center for
Central and Eastern Europe in Budapest. Finally, he
announced that the Peace Corps would operate in Hungary to
enhance English language training -- the first time in a
European country.
The Economic Summit in Paris: The mission of the President's
historic visit to Poland and Hungary and his successful
effort at the Paris Economic Summit was to promote concerted
actions among the industrial democracies in the economic and
political arenas. The industrial democracies demonstrated
their unity, as they dealt with a variety of issues on the
international economic agenda, as well as the problem of
drugs and the environment.
6
"Beyond Containment": Seeing an historic process of change
in the Soviet Union, the President has declared his
intention to move beyond the successful policy of
containment of Soviet power to a new policy whose goal is
integrating the Soviet Union into the world community as a
constructive partner. Positive changes so far in Soviet
policies -- in human rights, economic reforms, and
settlement of some international conflicts need to be
encouraged and broadened. The United States will be ready
to respond to such further developments. Already:
-- The US-Soviet dialogue on conflicts in regions of the
Third World has resumed intensively, and discussions
have begun on a new range of global problems that
require global cooperation, such as terrorism, the
environment, and narcotics.
In arms control, the President has accelerated the pace
of negotiations, with new American initiatives on
reducing conventional forces in Europe (endorsed by the
NATO Summit), and on strategic arms reduction. U.S.
initiatives also aim at early progress on verification.
issues to further early agreement on strategic arms
reductions.
China: On his visit to China in February, the President
emphasized the long-term strategic importance of the U.S.
China relationship and his support for the process of
reform. In response to the subsequent tragic suppression of
the democratic movement in China, the President ordered the
suspension of all government-to-government sales and
commercial exports of weapons, suspension of visits between
US and Chinese military leaders, sympathetic review of
requests by Chinese students in the United States to extend
their stay, and review of other aspects of US-PRC bilateral
relations. The President's policy signals that repression
cannot be condoned. But it also seeks to preserve the basic
elements of a strategically important relationship that has,
itself, played a major part in China's recent policy of
reform and openness -- and can do so again in the future.
O
Latin America: The President has established a close,
working relationship with Latin American neighbors to foster
a new partnership on hemisphere problems like democracy,
debt, and drugs. Relations with Mexico are closer than at
any time in recent memory. The U.S. has also worked with
the Organization of American States to develop a hemispheric
consensus urging Manuel Noriega to leave power.
o
Bipartisan Accord on Central America: On March 24, the
President and Congress agreed on a bipartisan plan for peace
and democracy in Central America:
--
Regional peace: The President and Congress agreed that
the region's democracies deserve our support, that
7
Nicaragua's subversion of its neighbors must end, and
that Soviet support for violence and subversion in the
hemisphere must also end.
:
Humanitarian aid: Congress agreed to support the
Administration's request for continued humanitarian
assistance for the Nicaraguan Resistance at current
levels through the elections in Nicaragua scheduled for
February, 1990.
--
Democracy: The Communist Sandinistas are being put to
the test to permit a real democratic electoral contest
for political power, fulfilling the promises of
democratic pluralism that they have made (and broken)
so often before.
Middle East: The Administration is devoted to promoting
progress toward peace in the Middle East by supporting the
Government of Israel's May 14 initiative calling for
Palestinian elections in the occupied territories. These
elections can be a step toward a comprehensive peace
settlement that assures Israel's security and the legitimate
political rights of the Palestinians. The Administration
also has supported the efforts of the Arab League and others
to end the internecine warfare and slaughter of innocents,
and to bring peace to Lebanon.
o
A Strong Defense: The President proposed to Congress a two-
missile plan to maintain a strong, modernized strategic
deterrent. The plan to deploy the rail-mobile Peacekeeper
and the road-mobile Small ICBM will also give the U.S.
momentum in strategic arms control negotiations.
--
The President proposed to Congress an integrated
package on strategic modernization that capitalizes on
the revolutionary potential of the B-2, and modernizes
the third leg of the Triad -- essential also to our
arms control positions.
The President requested a funding level of $4.6 billion
for the Strategic Defense Initiative to support an
informed development and deployment decision within the
next four years.
:
The President also directed the Department of Defense
to implement its recent blueprint to strengthen and
streamline the weapons procurement process.
Air Transportation Security: The Administration has taken
several measures to enhance security and efficiency in the
air transportation system. These efforts include:
--
A proposed 17% increase in the budget for the Federal
Aviation Administration.
:
New requirements for installation of explosive
detection devices in high-risk airports.
--
Intense international negotiations to enhance security
abroad.
8
INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE
Record economic growth has provided America with the
opportunity to invest in a brighter future. Because America's
available resources are limited, the President's programs are
designed to focus our efforts on those initiatives most likely to
create growth in the years ahead.
EDUCATION
The President's actions to improve education are guided by
four key principles: that excellence and success in education
should be recognized and rewarded; that federal funding should be
targeted to those who need it most; that choice and flexibility -
- for educators, parents and students - are important to
educational reform and to achieving excellence; and finally, that
greater accountability is needed in the education system to
assure that students are actually receiving the highest quality
education.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
O
On April 5, the President proposed and sent to the Congress
a comprehensive education package, The Educational
Excellence Act of 1989, which includes seven initiatives:
--
The Presidential Merit Schools program -- to reward
schools that are making substantial progress in raising
students' educational achievement, creating a safe and
drug-free school environment, and reducing the drop-out
rate.
A new Magnet Schools of Excellence program -- to
support the establishment, expansion or enhancement of
magnet schools, increasing parental choice and
improving quality education.
The Alternative Certification of Teachers and
Principals program -- to assist States interested in
broadening the pool of talent from which to recruit
teachers and principals.
President's Awards for Excellence in Education -- to be
awarded to public and private school teachers in every
state who meet the highest standards of excellence.
Drug-free Schools Urban Emergency Grants -- to provide
special assistance to selected urban school districts
that are disproportionately affected by drug
trafficking and abuse.
A National Science Scholars program -- to provide
college scholarships to high school seniors who have
excelled in the sciences and mathematics.
:
Additional Funding Authorization for Endowment Matching
Grants at Historically Black Colleges and Universities
-- to strengthen HBCUs by building endowments, an
especially effective way to create financial strength
and long-term security.
9
On April 24, the President issued a new Executive Order on
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Highlights of the order include:
--
Establishing the President's Board of Advisors on
Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the
Department of Education.
--
Directing Federal agencies to increase opportunities
for HBCU involvement in Federal programs and directing
the Secretary of Education to develop an Annual Federal
Plan for Assistance.
Calling for the White House Office of National Service,
along with other Federal offices to work to encourage
private sector support of HBCUs.
THE ENVIRONMENT
President Bush, a long-time environmentalist, has taken
strong action to protect the environment. He believes that
environmental protection, conservation, and wise management of
our national resources must have a high priority on our national-
agenda.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
o
Clean Air legislation: President Bush transmitted to the
Congress a sweeping program to ensure clean air for all
Americans. The President's plan, transmitted to Congress on
July 21, 1989, calls for the first revisions to the Clean
Air Act since 1977 and is designed to curb three major
threats to the nation's environment: acid rain, urban air
pollution, and toxic air emissions.
--
Acid Rain: Sulfur dioxide emissions that cause acid
rain will be cut, by ten million tons from 1980 levels,
and nitrogen oxide levels cut by two million tons -- by
the end of this century. The Administration's bill is
the only one which imposes a cap on emissions after the
year 2000 to ensure that a ten million ton reduction is
maintained. Companies will be allowed to trade credits
among themselves for reductions they make, so that they
can decide how to bring aggregate emissions down as
cost-effectively as possible.
Urban Air Pollution: By employing a mix of federal
measures and state initiatives, this legislation will
sharply cut air pollution in our cities by the year
2000. The federal measures alone will cut hydrocarbon
emissions -- which contribute to urban ozone -- by
almost half.
Currently, 100 cities don't meet Federal air
quality standards. This legislation will bring all but
4 cities into attainment with the ozone standard by
2000 -- and within 20 years, even Los Angeles, Houston
and New York.
10
In the nine urban areas with the greatest smog
problems, smog will be cut through the introduction of
alternative fuels and clean-fueled vehicles. The
President is calling for the phased-in introduction of
a half a million clean-fueled vehicles in 1995,
building up to sales of a million clean-fueled cars a
year in 1997 through 2004.
Automobile and fuel companies will be allowed to
trade reduction credits among themselves.
--
Toxic Air Emissions: All categories of airborne toxic
chemicals should be cut by 75 percent by the year 2000.
In its first phase, the President's plan should
substantially reduce the number of deaths from cancer
that are suspected to have been caused by toxic
industrial air emissions.
Until now, because of an unworkable law, the EPA
has been able to regulate only seven of the 280 known
air toxics. The President's plan will allow EPA to do
its job better, and will apply the most advanced
industrial technology available to control these
airborne poisons. The legislation promises certifiable
progress in regulating sources of toxic air emissions
on a set schedule.
Natural Gas Decontrol: On July 26, the President signed into
law the Wellhead Decontrol Act of 1989, which ends all
remaining price controls on natural gas. This will phase
out all federal price controls on natural gas by January 1,
1993.
Alaskan oil spill: A Cabinet-level team was sent to assess
the Alaskan oil spill, and a joint federal-state resource
recovery team was convened. The National Transportation
Safety Board is investigating the accident. Exxon has
accepted responsibility for paying for the clean up, and for
employing local civilian personnel necessary to control
further damage.
The Departments of Transportation and Interior, as well
as the EPA, are coordinating the long-range planning to
restore the environment of Prince William Sound, and the
President has ordered a review of existing contingency plans
for accidents such as this.
The President also proposed, and the Paris Summit
leaders accepted, a call for increased international efforts
on oil spill prevention and clean-up.
11
oil Spill Legislation: On May 11, the Administration
transmitted to Congress comprehensive oil pollution
liability and compensation legislation that broadens and
strengthens our existing patchwork of laws. The bill
provides swift and assured compensation for clean up costs
and damages through a liability system based on strict
financial responsibility requirements for shipowners backed
up by an oil-industry financed fund.
Outer Continental Shelf Task Force: The President set up a.
special task force to address environmental concerns about
oil and gas drilling off the coasts of California and
Florida. Pending the recommendations of the task force, the
President has postponed drilling activity in these areas.
Cleaning up hazardous wastes: The President announced he
will be seeking new legislation to amend the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act in order to give the United
States Government authority to ban all exports of hazardous
waste unless an agreement exists with the receiving country.
providing for the safe handling and management of those
wastes.
Also, Secretary of Energy Watkins has put forth a plan of
action to identify and prioritize clean up of defense and
civilian radioactive waste; meet the Nation's security
needs; and comply with environmental safety and health laws.
Superfund: The President is reinvigorating the Superfund
hazardous waste clean-up program by directing EPA to take a
number of steps, including more aggressive action to force
private parties to clean up sites, stepped-up cost recovery,
and better use of existing emergency cleanup authorities.
EPA is also now finishing a priority review of Superfund to
improve its operation.
Ozone depletion: The President has called for a total
worldwide phaseout of CFCs by the year 2000, provided safe
substitutes are available, in order to prevent further
damage to the Earth's protective ozone layer.
Clean water and coastlines: The EPA has started a tracking
system for medical wastes and the Justice Department has set
up a task force to prosecute those who deliberately dump
medical waste into our Nation's waters -- the first step in
a comprehensive program to help keep our beaches clean. The
President is committed to end ocean dumping of sewage sludge
by 1991.
Wetlands, National Parks, and Reforestation: The President
is also committed to "no net loss of wetlands" and is
directing his executive branch agencies, through an
12
interagency task force, to make recommendations to achieve
that goal.
He has proposed $206 million in new money to expand and
improve America's parks and wildlife refuges, preserving
them for generations to come.
Finally, the President supports increased lending by
the development banks for reforestation programs and the
implementation of the Tropical Forest Action Plan. He also
endorsed the call by the Paris Economic Summit for an end to
world deforestation.
Asbestos Ban: On July 7, EPA announced an almost total
phase-out of nearly all uses of asbestos by 1997. The ban
will prohibit importation, manufacture, and processing of
asbestos, a carcinogen linked to lung cancer and
mesothelioma (lung and chest cancer).
Improved Forecasting: The Commerce Department announced that
beginning in Fiscal Year 1990, the National Weather Service
will modernize and restructure its operations to provide
improved forecasting and weather warning systems. The new
system will include advanced weather radar, observation
automation, and a new communications system.
Ban on African Elephant Ivory: On June 9, the
Administration announced an importation ban of African
elephant ivory into the United States, making importation
from any country illegal. The ban covers both commercial
and non-commercial shipments.
COMBATTING VIOLENT CRIME
The President is working to strengthen the nation's criminal
justice system and the Federal, state, and local law enforcement
partnership.
Four principles underlie the goals of our criminal justice
system and the means for accomplishing them: First, to protect
citizens and their property; to hold those who commit violent
crimes accountable for their actions; to have as the objective of
our criminal justice system the swift and certain apprehension,
prosecution and incarceration of those who break the law; and
finally, to ensure a sustained, cooperative effort by Federal,
state and local law enforcement authorities.
13
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
On May 15, 1989, President Bush announced to Congress The
Comprehensive Violent Crime Control Act of 1989 to combat
violent crime. The President's initiative includes:
--
Strengthening Current Laws: The President is calling
on Congress to double the mandatory minimum penalties
:
from five years to ten years in Federal prison --
for the use of semi-automatic weapons in violent
crimes or drug felonies.
In addition, the Attorney General has been
directed to advise America's prosecutors to end plea
bargaining for violent Federal firearms offenses.
President Bush called on Congress to enact the
steps necessary to implement the death penalty for the
most serious Federal crimes, and urged state Governors
to match these Federal initiatives -- new mandatory
sentencing, tougher rules on plea bargaining, and
implementing the death penalty -- in the States.
:
Controlling Certain Semi-Automatic Weapons: In July,
the Administration took action to ban permanently the
importation of any semi-automatic weapons which fail to
meet the criteria specified in the Gun Control Act of
1968. The President also called for the closing of
loopholes which allow access to such guns by certain
classes of criminals, and he proposed prohibiting the
importation, manufacture, sale, or transfer of gun
magazines of more than 15 rounds.
Augmenting Enforcement: The President has directed the
Attorney General and the Treasury Secretary, working
together with state and local authorities, to launch a
comprehensive, coordinated offensive against America's
most violent criminals.
President Bush requested funding for the hiring of
825 new Federal agents and staff -- 375 at the Bureau
of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; 300 at the FBI; and
150 Deputy U.S. Marshals. This offensive, including
state and local enforcement authorities, will target
violent criminals and repeat offenders.
:
Enhancing Prosecution: The President proposed
increased funds for the U.S. Attorneys Offices to
support 1,600 new prosecutors and staff, and increased
funds for the Justice Department Criminal Division to
support 168 new positions, to handle drug cases,
weapons offenses, and other priority matters.
Expanding Prison Capacity: The President proposed an
additional $1 billion for Federal prison construction,
bringing the total FY 1990 budget to over $1.5 billion.
This will add 24,000 new Federal prison beds to the
current 31,000 beds, an increase of nearly 80%.
Anti-Drug Treaty: The Vienna Convention on Illicit
Drugs and Psychotropic Substances was strongly endorsed
14
by the President and forwarded to the Congress for
ratification. This is the most significant and far-
reaching treaty on international cooperation on drug
trafficking, chemical precursor control, and money
laundering ever to be signed.
FIGHTING DRUG ABUSE
We have begun a new war on drugs in this country. The
President believes a four-pronged approach is key: education,
treatment, interdiction, and enforcement. The policy of this
Administration is "zero tolerance." No amount of illegal drug
use is acceptable. This means dealing with both supply and
demand.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
O
Budget: The Administration is requesting over $6 billion in
funding for FY 1990 to fight the drug war, increasing
outlays by nearly $1 billion for drug education, treatment,
and enforcement.
Education: The Administration is requesting nearly $1.1
billion for education and prevention efforts. This is a 16
percent increase over 1989 and includes funding for ongoing
programs and new initiatives.
Treatment: Funding for drug abuse treatment will be
increased 18 percent. The Administration is proposing over
$700 million to expand the nation's capacity to provide
treatment, particularly to indigent, disadvantaged youth and
expectant mothers.
Interdiction and enforcement: The Administration is
proposing over $4.6 billion for law enforcement programs in
1990, a 20 percent increase over 1989. This constitutes
about 70 percent of President Bush's proposed drug budget.
Substantial increases are requested in funding to strengthen
inspection, interdiction, intelligence efforts and crop
eradication programs, such as Operation Snow Cap, a
federally led effort which broke up a $1.2 billion drug
money-laundering operation. The President strongly supports
the death penalty for drug kingpins who commit drug-related
murders, and will appoint judges who will strongly enforce
the drug penalty laws.
o
Public housing: The Bush Administration is working to make
public housing drug free, to protect the rights of the vast
majority of decent, law-abiding public housing residents.
15
The Department of Housing and Urban Development has acted:
--
To modify its lease and grievance procedures to
facilitate eviction of those involved in drug related
criminal activity;
:
To make drug use and trafficking a lease violation
subject to eviction proceedings;
--
To target federal assistance to anti-drug security
measures;
--
To revoke federal housing subsidies from those dealing
in drugs;
--
To involve the private and voluntary sectors in efforts
to rid public housing of drugs and give residents,
especially young people, a stake in their communities
and their futures.
In addition, the Office of National Drug Control Policy has
responded to the drug emergency in the District of Columbia
by expanding the Metropolitan Area Task Force, working for
more prisons, and providing FBI support in enforcement. The
assistance of the National Institute on Drug Abuse will be
provided to local treatment efforts. The Department of
Education will assist the District with 50 percent more
funds for drug prevention programs in city schools and the
Department of Labor will support employee assistance
programs and work with the business community to increase
job training for youth.
16
WORKING FOR A KINDER, GENTLER AMERICA
CHILD CARE
The changing nature of American society heightens the need
for quality, affordable, accessible child care. President Bush
wants to put choice in the hands of parents so that they -- not
government -- have the power to select the best and safest
environment for their children.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
Child care: The President transmitted to Congress a child
care package, the Working Family Child Care Assistance Act
of 1989 which:
-- Provides a new refundable child care tax credit of up
to $1000 per child under age four, for low income
working families.
-- Makes the existing Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit
refundable.
-- Does not discriminate against religious- or family-
based child care, or a parent who chooses not to work
outside the home.
The President has directed Secretary of Labor Dole to
determine whether the barriers to securing liability
insurance impair employer-provided child care.
Head Start: The President also transmitted legislation to
Congress that would allow a $250 million increase in Head
Start appropriation. This will pay for enrollment of up to
95,000 more four-year-olds in the program.
NATIONAL SERVICE
The President's vision to help overcome the disintegration
of communities and build a better America -- not through a
federal government program, but through a nationwide service
movement -- has three facets: First, to issue a call to all
individuals and institutions to claim society's problems as their
own; second, to identify, enlarge, and duplicate what is working;
and third, to discover and encourage new leaders.
17
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
President Bush called on:
--
all Americans and all American institutions, large and
small, to make service of central value in their daily
life and work;
:
all heads of business and professional firms to include
community service among the factors considered in
making hiring, compensation, and promotion decisions;
:
newspapers, magazines, radio and television stations,
cable systems, and other media institutions to identify
service opportunities, spotlight successful service
initiatives and profile outstanding community leaders
regularly;
--
all state and local education boards to uphold the
value of service and to encourage students, faculty,
and personnel to serve others;
--
college and university presidents to recognize the
value of community service in considering applicants,
and to encourage and uphold the value of community
service; and
--
not-for-profit service organizations to build the
capacity to absorb increasing numbers of volunteers in
purposeful roles.
Identifying, Enlarging, and Recreating What is Working: The
President announced the formation of a foundation called the
Points of Light Initiative, of which he will serve as
Honorary Chairman. Formed to identify and build upon what
is working, the Foundation will act as a magnet for the best
ideas and brightest programs in community service and then
serve as a catalyst to project these ideas into every corner
of the nation. The Administration will ask Congress for $25
million annually to support this initiative, which will, in
turn, seek matching funds from the private sector. The
President has also encouraged all governors nationwide to
join the movement by forming State and local Points of Light
working groups composed of outstanding leaders.
Through a Foundation initiative called the ServNet
Project, professional firms, corporations, unions,
schools, religious, civic and not-for-profit groups
will be asked to donate the services of some of their
most talented and promising people for a period of
time. Peer-to-peer working groups will be formed to
bring examples of successful initiatives and provide
training, technical assistance and other support to
enable other institutions to devise similar
initiatives.
:
Another Foundation initiative, the ServLink Project,
will help improve existing methods of matching would-be
volunteers with purposeful service opportunities.
ServLink will stimulate the development, through
18
private sector resources, of "technology links" like
telephones, computers and other mechanisms between
those who wish to serve and those needing service in
the inquirer's own community.
-- The Foundation will also discover and encourage new
leaders by recognizing them through two new
Presidential Awards:
--
The National Service Youth Leadership Awards will
be given each year to individuals.
:
The President's Build A Community Awards will
honor those people and institutions who have
worked together to rebuild families or to
revitalize communities.
WELFARE REFORM
The Administration has developed a major new education and
job training program to help recipients of Aid to Families with
Dependent Children move off welfare and become economically self-
sufficient.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
O
Welfare reform: The Administration issued proposed rules on
April 18 to implement the major provisions of the Family
Support Act of 1988. The proposed rules are designed to:
--
Target job training assistance to those who are most
likely to benefit and who are most at risk for long-
term welfare dependency.
-- Provide maximum level of flexibility to AFDC parents in
obtaining the type of child care that best suits their
needs, consistent with the Administration's legislative
proposals on child care.
--
The Administration is proposing to spend $3.6 billion
over the next five years implementing the JOBS Program.
The changes will pay benefits in the future by reducing
the number of individuals on welfare. It is estimated
that 138,000 families will be able to leave welfare
rolls over five years as a result of this program.
EXPANSION OF MEDICAID
The President is committed to health care for disadvantaged
mothers and children, the disabled, and poor, aged Americans and
has called for full funding of Medicaid. This will mean $39.1
billion for FY 1990, an increase of $4.8 billion, or 12.2 percent
over the FY 1989 level.
19
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
Expanding Medicaid: On April 18, the Administration
forwarded to Congress proposed legislation to make federal
programs better serve pregnant women, infants and children.
The legislation would expand the population Medicaid serves,
making Medicaid available to 1.9 million more women when
they become pregnant. The legislation would:
-- Increase by 374,000 the number of pregnant women and
children eligible for Medicaid.
:
Foster greater participation in Medicaid by eligible
pregnant women by providing services to pregnant women
who are presumed eligible for Medicaid before a formal
eligibility determination is made; and by requiring
States to operate outreach programs in areas of high
infant mortality.
--
Entitle all children under age 6, who are receiving
Food Stamps, to receive Medicaid coverage for
immunizations.
:
Make the Federal match rate for State administration
expenses a uniform 50 percent by gradually reducing
special administrative match rates that currently range
from 75 to 100 percent. The savings that would result
would allow the legislative eligibility changes
proposed by the President to be implemented within the
current program's spending level.
AIDS INITIATIVES
The Administration is moving on a number of fronts to combat
the spread of AIDS.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
AIDS Clinical Trials Information Service: The Administration
developed a computerized listing though which AIDS patients
and their doctors can get up-to-date information on clinical
trials of AIDS drugs and vaccines -- whether federally or
privately sponsored.
Experimental AIDS Drugs: The Administration unveiled a
proposal to allow wider availability of experimental
therapeutic drugs used to treat people with AIDS.
AIDS Prevention Guide: The Administration joined the
National Parent Teachers Association in announcing the
distribution of 500,000 copies of the "AIDS Prevention
Guide" for use by parents and teachers nationwide.
$5 Million Transferred to States -- AIDS Treatment: The
Administration transferred $5 million from currently
appropriated AIDS funds to assist needy individuals in the
purchase of treatment drugs for AIDS and related conditions.
20
HOUSING/HOMELESSNESS
President Bush has taken a number of steps to create an
"opportunity society" of jobs, growth, housing, and hope for
Americans in need of a helping hand.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
Homelessness: In his FY 1990 budget, the President has
proposed to provide over $1 billion in federal resources to
help end homelessness and pave the way to jobs, permanent
housing, health care, and human dignity. President Bush's
proposal calls for fully funding the McKinney Homeless
Assistance Act and for a new $50 million matching grant
program to promote public/private partnerships to assist
homeless families and the mentally ill.
Affordable housing: President Bush is committed to making
housing more affordable for low-income families, and to
provide homeownership opportunities to the disadvantaged and
to young families. President Bush proposes to assist
through HUD subsidized Housing Programs, 109,000 new
families in need of low-income housing, and has pledged to
maintain HUD assistance to those families already being
helped. President Bush has also signalled his commitment to
helping poor residents in public housing to become
homeowners through resident management and ownership
programs.
OPPORTUNITY
Enterprise zones: President Bush has called for enactment of
enterprise zone legislation, to give urban and rural areas
the opportunity for jobs and hope for the future. President
Bush asked Congress to enact labor and capital-based
incentives to create jobs and entrepreneurial activity in
our most distressed communities.
Job training: The Administration has sent to the Congress a
proposal to improve the Job Training Partnership Act by
targeting its resources on the poor and at risk youth and
adults who most need job training to get jobs and become
economically self sufficient.
CIVIL RIGHTS
The Bush Administration is committed to reaching out to
minorities, and to striking down barriers to free and open
access. The President has made it clear that this Administration
will not tolerate discrimination, bigotry, or bias of any kind.
21
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
Civil rights: The Administration has taken a number of
actions to protect the civil rights of all Americans,
including several court actions in key civil rights cases.
--
The President has called upon Congress to reauthorize
the Commission on Civil Rights.
--
The Administration endorsed the Hate Crimes Bill, which
provides for the collection of data about crimes
motivated by race, religion, or ethnicity.
--
On March 13, Attorney General Thornburgh announced the
filing of Federal housing discrimination lawsuits
seeking monetary damages and civil penalties under the
expanded enforcement authority of the Fair Housing
Amendments Act of 1988.
Disabled Americans: The Administration has reached a
consensus with key Senators on legislation that would
fulfill the President's commitment to seek legislation
extending civil rights protections to disabled Americans.
The legislation, called the Americans with Disabilities Act,
would represent the most significant expansion of federal
civil rights laws in the past two decades.
--
The legislation would provide unprecedented protections
against discrimination in the area of employment,
requiring reasonable accommodation be made by employers
for disabled potential employees.
--
Most new buildings would be required to be accessible
to the disabled.
:
Stores, providers of services, restaurants, and other
public accommodations would be required to serve
disabled Americans to the same extent they serve able
Americans.
Whistleblower protection: On April 10, the President signed
S. 20, the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989. This law
will strengthen the protections and procedural rights
available to those federal employees who report misdeeds and
mismanagement.
:
This new law will enhance the authority of the Office
of Special Counsel, and whistleblowers will also now be
allowed to take their cases to the Merit Systems
Protection Board.
--
The statute alters the legal burdens of proof, making
it easier for employees to be vindicated when they are
wrongfully penalized by their supervisors for
whistleblowing activities.
22
ETHICS
High ethical standards for all Americans are central to this
Administration, and we will enforce them -- strictly,
comprehensively, fairly, and to the letter and spirit of the law.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
O
Campaign Finance Reform: The President's comprehensive
campaign finance reform proposal is designed to lessen the
power of special economic interests and restore real
competition to American Congressional elections. The
package seeks to enhance, the role of individuals and the
political parties in elections. Below are proposal
highlights:
--
Eliminating political action committees (PACs)
supported by corporations, unions, or trade
associations, and prohibiting such entities from paying
for the overhead or administrative costs of any
independent PAC.
--
Strengthening political parties by increasing the
amounts they can spend on behalf of congressional
candidates. This source of funds would permit
legislators to spend less time fundraising, would
ensure that challengers have greater resources with
which to challenge incumbents, and would further limit
the role of special economic interests in elections.
:
Addressing the problem of the "permanent Congress" by
reforms designed to reduce the unwarranted advantages
of incumbency. Specifically, the proposals would
prohibit the personal use of excess campaign funds,
drastically reduce Congressional mailings under the
frank, ban the rollover of campaign funds from one
election cycle to the next, and legislate fair neutral
criteria for the redistricting of Congressional and
legislative lines that will follow the 1990 census.
--
Fully disclosing all soft money spent by the political
parties and all labor unions, corporations, and trade
associations to influence a federal election.
Ethics: The President issued an Executive Order creating
the President's Commission on Federal Ethics Law Reform,
which submitted its recommendations to the President on
March 9. Responding to the Commission's work, the
President, on April 12, sent to Congress a sweeping ethics
bill and simultaneously issued an Executive Order announcing
ethical principles for the conduct of executive branch
employees. The President's proposals include:
--
Expanded financial disclosure for all three branches of
government.
23
--
Deferral of tax liability when an individual is
required by his or her agency to divest assets in order
to avoid conflicts of interest.
--
Strengthened rules against abusing the revolving door
for private gain at the expense of the public trust.
These rules would also apply for the first time to the
legislative branch.
--
A 25 percent pay raise for federal judges was proposed
in the legislation submitted April 12. On July 7, the
President submitted separate legislation calling for
pay increases for certain specialized professionals and
other senior officials in the executive branch.
Congressional Honoraria Ban: On July 7, the President
also sent to Congress legislation that calls for the
elimination of Congressional honoraria by 1991, making
the next Congress honoraria-free. This proposal is
linked to the enactment by Congress of a pay increase
for its Members, and the President will work with
Congress toward this end.
The extension of the federal statute that prohibits
employees from taking actions that enhance their own
financial interest to cover legislative and judicial
branch employees (but not Members of Congress).
--
The extension of the Independent Counsel statute to
cover the Congress and the creation of an independent,
non-partisan Congressional Ethics Office.
A ban on outside earned income for full-time non-career
Presidential appointees in the executive branch,
including non-career employees in the immediate White
House Office.
# # #
BUILDING A BETTER AMERICA
APRIL 24, 1989
SUMMARY
Since President Bush took office, he has addressed a series
of tough issues, meeting both urgent short-term priorities and
working toward solutions to the long-term challenges facing the
nation. Relying on basic American principles -- traditional
family values, choice, accountability, fairness, excellence,
peace through strength -- the President is building a better
America by:
1. Keeping the economy strong -- with no new taxes
2. Seizing international opportunities for peace
3. Investing in our future
4. Working for a kinder, gentler America
Keeping the Economy Strong -- With No New Taxes
Record economic growth -- 76 months of economic expansion.
Nearly 20 million new jobs have been created, and the
unemployment rate is now at its lowest since December, 1973.
Real median family income set a new record in 1987 and
continues to grow.
A comprehensive budget proposal sent to the Congress and an
unprecedented bipartisan agreement with the Congress reached
on the budget reducing the Federal budget deficit, meeting
Gramm-Rudman-Hollings deficit reduction targets with no new
taxes
A comprehensive plan to rescue the Savings and Loan industry
which has cleared the Senate
An initiative for cutting the capital gains tax rate sent to
the Congress to encourage investment and create jobs and
opportunity
In the Uruguay Round of GATT trade negotiations, substantial
progress has been made by the Administration toward reducing
trade barriers to U.S. exports
A plan for raising the minimum wage to $4.25 coupled with a
six month training wage
Seizing International Opportunities for Peace
o
The signing of a bipartisan accord with the Congress on
Central America
o
The initiation of a dialcgue with the Soviet Union.
Secretary Baker met with Foreign Minister Shevardnadze in
March, and these talks will continue when the two meet next
in Moscow
An eight-step program to support Polish political and
economic reforms
Intensive Presidential consultations with the leaders of 34
nations, including 18 bilateral meetings held during the
Asia trip
A plan to strengthen the international response to Third
World debt
Comprehensive foreign policy and defense strategy reviews
initiated
Investing in Our Future
Improving Education
A comprehensive legislative package for educational
excellence sent to the Congress
Protecting our Environment
A multi-agency commitment to oversee the Alaskan oil spill
cleanup effort
The development of Clean Air Act revisions, with provisions
for control of acid rain and other problems
An announcement of an effort to seek legislative authority
to ban hazardous waste exports, where agreements do not
exist for their safe disposal
A call for the worldwide phaseout of CFCs by the year 2000
A plan of action to identify and prioritize clean up of
defense and civilian radioactive waste
A legislative proposal, already enacted by the House, to
deregulate natural gas by January 1, 1993
Fighting Drugs and Crime
A major $6 billion anti-drug abuse initiative focusing on
education, rehabilitation, interdiction and enforcement
Action in response to the drug emergency in the District of
Columbia, including enforcement support, more prison space,
and stepped-up efforts in prevention and rehabilitation
A temporary suspension of imports of certain types of semi-
automatic weapons
Action to modify lease and grievance procedures to
facilitate eviction of those involved in drug related
criminal activity from public housing
New aviation security initiatives announced by the Secretary
of Transportation, to counteract terrorism in the skies
Working for a Kinder, Gentler America
Child Care
A child care initiative to give low and moderate income
working families greater choice and flexibility in meeting
their child care needs
Legislation to increase the FY 1990 authorization for Head
Start by $250 million to help up to 95,000 more 4-year olds
National Service
The creation of the Office of National Service in the White
House, and leadership in the Administration's initiative on
volunteerism
Welfare Reform and Medicaid
Quick action to implement major welfare reform legislation
that will help reduce long-term welfare dependency
Expansion of the Medicaid program to serve more pregnant
women, infants, and children
Homelessness
An initiative to provide over $1 billion in federal
resources to help end homelessness and pave the way to jobs,
permanent housing and health care
Ethics and Civil Rights
A comprehensive ethics proposal to make uniform the
standards among all three branches of government
Whistleblower protection legislation, now law, to strengthen
the rights of those who report misdeeds and mismanagement
Enforcement of the new Fair Housing Laws, to fully prosecute
those discriminating in housing opportunities on the basis
of religion, race, age, ethnicity, handicap or family status
Support by the Department of Justice for the objectives of
the Hate Crimes Bill, which provides for the collection of
data about crimes motivated by race, religion, ethnicity or
sexual orientation
President Bush has set an agenda for the country. He is
orienting us as a nation toward the future -- building a better
America -- keeping America strong and at peace. Leadership is
the ability to see the shape of things to come, to address
tomorrow's challenges today. George Bush is preparing the nation
for the 21st Century.
BUILDING A BETTER AMERICA
APRIL 24, 1989
KEEPING THE ECONOMY STRONG -- WITH NO NEW TAXES
Keeping our nation's economy strong is the key to managing
change successfully. The news is good:
Record expansion: We are now in the 76th month of the
current economic expansion.
Job creation: Nearly 20 million new jobs have been created,
and the unemployment rate has declined to 4.9 percent, a 15
year low. During this decade, America has created more new
jobs than Japan and the nations of Western Europe combined.
Record income: Per capita personal income, after taxes and
inflation, has risen 17 percent during the expansion; real
income of the median family -- the family exactly in the
middle of the income distribution -- set a new record in
1987 and continues to grow.
Industrial output: During this expansion, American
industrial output has grown 33 percent compared with overall
economic growth of 26 percent. This is double Europe's
growth rate in industrial output and even slightly more than
Japan's rate of increase during the same period.
Inflation under control: We have had seven straight years
of consumer price inflation under 5 percent. The
Administration supports the Federal Reserve's efforts to
restrain inflation while maintaining real economic growth.
The Administration and the Fed share the goal of ultimately
achieving price stability -- zero inflation.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
Presenting a budget: The President put forth a budget which
addresses our fundamental obligations for protection of
national security and support of the needy, while providing
sufficient funds to advance high-priority initiatives. The
President's budget restrains overall growth of spending and
meets the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings targets -- with no new
taxes.
Reaching a budget agreement with Congress: The President
and Congress announced on April 14 a budget plan to reduce
the estimated FY 1990 deficit by about $64 billion below FY
1989. The deficit will be reduced to $99.4 billion, as
required by the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings law. This is the
2
first budget agreement reached before the start of the
budget year and not framed in the context of crisis.
Savings and Loan reform: The Administration has transmitted
the "Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement
Act of 1989" to Congress, which has already cleared the
Senate. The proposal includes provisions to:
-- Assure financial integrity of deposit insurance by
raising the annual premium rate for both commercial
banks and S&Ls.
-- Resolve the status of existing insolvent banks in an
orderly fashion.
--
Improve supervisory control by bringing S&Ls up to the
same standards applied to commercial banks.
-- Enhance enforcement of bank fraud provisions.
Capital gains tax rate cut: The re-establishment of a
capital gains differential will encourage capital formation,
and investment and stimulate job creation. The President
has sent to the Congress a proposal which includes:
--
A 45 percent capital gains exclusion for qualified
capital gains, making the maximum capital gains tax
rate 15 percent.
--
A phased-in increase in the qualifying holding period
from one year to three years.
--
Families earning under $20,000 would be exempted from
the tax.
Minimum wage proposal: The President is seeking to minimize
the adverse economic impact of an across-the-board increase
in the minimum wage, and to keep job opportunities available
for youth and those seeking to enter the economic
mainstream. His proposal is:
-- A 27 percent increase in the minimum wage over three
years to $4.25 for most workers.
--
Maintaining the current $3.35 minimum for all new
employees of a firm on the job for less than six
months, regardless of age or previous employment.
-- An increase in the small business exemption to include
all firms, not just retail and service establishments,
with gross sales under $500,000.
--
An increase in the tip credit from 40 percent to 50
percent.
The President's pledge to veto an excessive increase in the
minimum wage has gained strong support in both Houses of
Congress.
International Trade: The Administration broke a logjam in
international trade talks which had existed since late 1988.
In breaking the stalemate, the United States advanced its
proposal to correct and prevent trade distortions in
agriculture. This clears the way for negotiations that -- if
3
successful over the next 20 months -- will greatly expand
rules governing free and open trade.
O
Agricultural initiatives:
--
The announcement of additional advance deficiency
payments of 10 percent available to producers of wheat,
feed grains, rice and upland cotton.
--
The establishment of a top-level Working Group on Rural
Development to focus on an action-oriented agenda.
4
SEIZING INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEACE
The Administration's policy of peace through strength is
working. As he prepares for both the 40th Anniversary of NATO in
Brussels and the economic summit in Paris, President Bush has
undertaken a number of foreign policy initiatives to maintain
America's position of world leadership.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
O
Bipartisan accord: On March 24, the President signed the
Bipartisan Accord on Central America with top leaders of the
Congress. The agreement sets out the broad outlines of a
strong and effective U.S. policy in the region:
:
Humanitarian aid: Congress has agreed to support the
Administration's request for continued humanitarian
assistance for the Nicaraguan Democratic Resistance at
current levels through the elections in Nicaragua
scheduled for February, 1990.
Democracy and Regional Peace: The burden of proof is on
the Sandinista government to do something it has
steadfastly refused to do from 1979 to 1989: keep its
promises to its people and its neighbors. If those
pledges of democracy and peace continue to be violated,
we hope and expect that other nations will find ways to
join us to condemn those actions. But if those
promises are kept, we have an opportunity to start a.
new day in Central America.
Support for reform in Poland: The Polish people are now
taking concrete steps which deserve our active support.
Those reforms include the legalization of Poland's heroic
trade union movement, Solidarity, and were recognized by
President Bush's initiative, which contained eight steps to
support Polish political and economic reforms:
--
The President is asking the Congress to join him in
providing Poland access to our Generalized System of
Preferences, which offers selective tariff relief to
beneficiary countries.
--
We are working with our allies and friends in the Paris
Club to develop sustainable new schedules for Poland to
repay its debt, easing a heavy burden so that a free
market can grow.
The President is also asking Congress to join him in
authorizing the Overseas Private Investment Corporation
to operate in Poland.
--
The President is proposing negotiations for a private
business agreement with Poland to encourage cooperation
between U.S. firms and Poland's private businesses.
The U.S. will continue to consider supporting, on their
merits, viable loans to the private sector by the
International Finance Corporation.
5
The President supports the Roundtable agreements that
clear the way for Poland to be able to work with the
International Monetary Fund on programs that encourage
sound, new, market-oriented economic policies.
:
The Administration is also encouraging business and
non-profit groups to develop innovative programs to
swap Polish debt for equity in Polish enterprises; and
for charitable, humanitarian and environmental
projects.
The President will support imaginative educational,
cultural and training programs to help liberate the
creative energies of the Polish people.
Bilateral meetings: The President has met with a total of 34
foreign leaders while in office, including a series of 18
bilateral meetings during the trip to Emperor Hirohito's
funeral. President Bush has met with leaders from the
Middle East, including Prime Minister Shamir of Israel,
President Mubarak of Egypt and King Hussein of Jordan.
A dialogue has begun with the Soviet Union. Secretary Baker
met with Foreign Minister Shevardnadze in March, and these
talks will continue when the two meet next in Moscow
Inter-American Development Bank: The Bush Administration
successfully concluded negotiations which will lead to a
substantial increase in the Bank's resources. The resulting
$22.5 billion in lending over the 1990-93 period will
support development efforts in major Latin American debtor
countries as well as the smaller countries of Central
America and the Caribbean.
Initiative on Third World Debt: The President's initiative
to strengthen the international strategy on Third World debt
has already received broad international support from both
industrialized and developing countries. The approach is
designed to promote sustained growth in developing countries
by:
Emphasizing sound market-oriented economic policies in
debtor countries, particularly measures to promote
investment and repatriation of flight capital;
Increasing the focus on debt and debt service reduction
to complement new lending by commercial banks;
Using resources from the World Bank and International
Monetary Fund to catalyze voluntary debt and debt
service reduction by the commercial banks.
GATT: In the Uruguay Round of GATT trade negotiations, the
Administration has made substantial progress toward reducing
trade barriers to U.S. exports.
Policy reviews: President Bush has ordered a comprehensive
review of foreign policy and defense strategies, soon to be
completed.
6
INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE
EDUCATION
The President's actions to improve education are guided by
four key principles: that excellence and success in education
should be recognized and rewarded; that federal funding should be
targeted to those who need it most; that choice and flexibility -
- for educators, parents and students -- are important to
educational reform and to achieving excellence; and finally, that
greater accountability is needed in the education system to
assure that students are actually receiving the highest quality
education.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
The President proposed and sent to the Congress a
comprehensive education package, "The Educational Excellence
Act of 1989" which includes seven initiatives:
-- The Presidential Merit Schools program -- to reward
schools that have made substantial progress in raising
students' educational achievement, creating a safe and
drug-free school environment, and reducing the drop-out
rate.
A new Magnet Schools of Excellence program -- to
support the establishment, expansion or enhancement of
magnet schools, increasing parental choice and
improving quality education.
--
The Alternative Certification of Teachers and
Principals program -- to assist States interested in
broadening the pool of talent from which to recruit
teachers and principals.
--
President's Awards for Excellence in Education -- to be
awarded to public and private school teachers in every
state who meet the highest standards of excellence.
--
Drug-free Schools Urban Emergency Grants -- to provide
special assistance to selected urban school districts
that are disproportionately affected by drug
trafficking and abuse.
I
A National Science Scholars program -- to provide
college scholarships to high school seniors who have
excelled in the sciences and mathematics.
:
Additional Funding Authorization for Endowment Matching
Grants at Historically Black Colleges and Universities
to strengthen HBCUs by building endowments, an
especially effective way to create financial strength
and long-term security.
THE ENVIRONMENT
President Bush, a long-time environmentalist, has taken
strong action to protect the environment. He is working
shoulder-to-shoulder with Interior Secretary Lujan, Energy
Secretary Watkins, and EPA Administrator Reilly on a number of
fronts.
7
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
Alaskan oil spill:
--
A Cabinet-level team was sent to assess the Alaskan oil
spill situation, and a joint federal-state resource
recovery team was convened, with Secretary of
Transportation Skinner now coordinating all efforts.
Coast Guard Commandant Yost has returned to Alaska to
assume personal oversight of developments, and the
National Transportation Safety Board is investigating
the accident itself. Exxon has accepted responsibility
for paying for the cleanup, and for employing local
civilian personnel necessary to control further damage.
In addition to the considerable federal personnel and
equipment already in place, on April 7, the President
announced that Defense Secretary Cheney will make
available U.S. Armed Forces personnel and equipment to
assist in the cleanup. EPA Administrator Reilly will
coordinate the long-range planning to restore the
environment of Prince William Sound, and the President
has ordered a review of existing contingency plans for
accidents such as this. The Departments of Interior,
Commerce and Agriculture, with the State of Alaska,
have begun a scientific assessment of damages to
natural resources. Exxon has provided $15 million in
up-front funding for this effort.
--
The President has set up a special task force to
address environmental concerns about oil and gas
drilling off the coasts of California and Florida.
Cleaning up hazardous wastes: The President announced he
will be seeking new legislation to give the United States
Government authority to ban all exports of hazardous waste
except where an agreement exists with the receiving country
providing for the safe handling and management of those
wastes.
Also, Secretary of Energy Watkins has put forth a plan of
action to identify and prioritize clean up of defense and
civilian radioactive waste.
Superfund: The President is reinvigorating the Superfund
hazardous waste clean-up program by directing EPA to take a
number of actions, including more aggressive action to force
private parties to clean up sites, stepped-up cost recovery,
and better use of existing emergency cleanup authorities.
EPA is also now finishing a priority review of Superfund to
improve its operation.
Ozone depletion: The President has called for a total
worldwide phaseout of CFCs by the year 2000, provided safe
substitutes are available, in order to prevent further
damage to the earth's protective ozone layer.
8
Clean Air and Acid Rain: The President committed his
Administration to submitting a new Clean Air Act, including
provisions for control of acid rain, ozone, and toxic air
pollutants. Top Administration officials have begun
drafting a bill, in consultation with leaders of Congress.
Clean water and coastlines: The EPA has started a tracking
system for medical wastes and the Justice Department has
started a task force to prosecute these abuses -- the first
step in a comprehensive program to help keep our beaches
clean. The President is committed to end ocean dumping of
sewage sludge by 1991.
Wetlands: The President is committed to "no net loss of
wetlands" and is directing his agencies to work toward that
goal. He has also proposed $206 million in his budget to
expand our parks and wildlife refuges.
FIGHTING DRUGS AND CRIME
With the confirmation of Bill Bennett as Director of
National Drug Control Policy, and the trip by Attorney General
Thornburgh to South America to meet with local leaders with
regard to joint eradication and interdiction efforts, we have
begun a new war on drugs in this country. The President believes
a four-pronged approach is key: education, rehabilitation,
interdiction and enforcement. The policy of this Administration
is "zero tolerance." No amount of illegal drug use is
acceptable. This means dealing with both supply and demand.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
Budget: The Administration is requesting $6 billion in
funding for FY 1990 to fight the drug war, increasing
outlays by nearly $1 billion for drug education, treatment
and enforcement.
Education: The Administration is requesting nearly $1.1
billion for education and prevention efforts. This is a 16
percent increase over 1989, and includes funding for ongoing
programs and new initiatives.
Rehabilitation: Funding for drug abuse treatment will be
increased 18 percent. The Administration is proposing over
$700 million to expand the nation's capacity to provide
treatment, particularly to the indigent, disadvantaged,
youth, and expectant mothers.
Interdiction and enforcement: The Administration is
proposing over $4.1 billion for law enforcement programs in
1990, a 10 percent increase over 1989. This constitutes
about 70 percent of President Bush's proposed drug budget.
Substantial increases are requested in funding to strengthen
inspection, interdiction, intelligence efforts and crop
9
eradication programs, such as Operation Polar Cap, a
federally led effort which broke up a $1.2 billion drug
money-laundering operation. The President strongly supports
the death penalty for drug kingpins who commit drug-related
murders, and will appoint judges who will strongly enforce
the drug penalty laws.
The Administration imposed a temporary suspension of imports
of certain types of semi-automatic weapons, and has
undertaken an emergency study to identify the best means of
reducing drug-related killings and other violent crime.
Public housing: The Bush Administration is working to make
public housing drug free, to protect the rights of the vast
majority of decent, law-abiding public housing residents.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development has acted:
:
To modify its lease and grievance procedures to
facilitate eviction of those involved in drug related
criminal activity;
--
To make drug use and trafficking a lease violation
subject to eviction proceedings;
--
To target federal assistance to anti-drug security
measures;
--
To revoke federal housing subsidies from those dealing
in drugs;
--
To involve the private and voluntary sectors in efforts
to rid public housing of drugs and give residents,
especially young people, a stake in their communities
and their futures.
In addition, the Office of National Drug Control Policy has
responded to the drug emergency in the District of Columbia:
--
A Metropolitan Area Task Force will be expanded, with
57 additional representatives from federal agencies,
and state and local police from D.C., Maryland and
Virginia.
:
More prisons: The federal Bureau of Prisons will take
custody of 250 inmates from the D.C. jail, and work to
locate land for construction of a new prison.
--
Enforcement: The FBI will provide support to D.C.
police in investigations of drug-related murders.
--
Rehabilitation: The National Institute on Drug Abuse
will provide assistance in local treatment efforts and
will be authorized to establish three new outpatient
clinics by 1990.
Prevention: The Department of Education will provide
the District with 50 percent more funds for drug
prevention programs in city schools. The Department of
Labor will work with the business community to increase
job training for youth, and will provide a $100,000
grant to establish employee assistance programs for
drug abuse.
10
WORKING FOR A KINDER, GENTLER AMERICA
CHILD CARE
The changing nature of American society heightens the need
for quality, affordable, accessible child care. President Bush
wants to put choice in the hands of parents so that they -- not
government -- have the power to select the best and safest
environment for their children.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
Child care: The President has proposed a child care package,
the "Working Family Child Care Assistance Act of 1989"
which:
I
Provides a new refundable child care tax credit of up
to $1000 per child under four, for low and moderate
income working families.
-- Makes the existing Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit
refundable.
--
Does not discriminate against religious- and family-
based child care.
The President has directed Secretary of Labor Dole to study
the market for liability insurance to determine if liability
issues impair child care.
Head Start: The President has also transmitted legislation
to the Congress which would increase the FY 1990
authorization for Head Start by $250 million; this will pay
for enrollment of up to 95,000 more four-year-olds in the
program.
NATIONAL SERVICE
President Bush has said that "From now on in America, any
definition of a successful life must include serving others. II
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
Office of National Service: The President established in the
White House the Office of National Service to lead the
Administration's national service movement. This Office
will identify effective community service models and
encourage others to duplicate them across the country. It
will challenge individuals, schools, businesses, civic and
service groups, religious institutions and other entities to
expand existing community service programs and to create new
ones. The goal of this Office is to make service to others
a central part of every American's life, and in so doing, to
help to ameliorate the urgent ills which fray the fabric of
American society. The Office will recommend changes in
national social and economic policy to promote and encourage
11
service, including tort law reform, welfare law reform and
housing, to name a few.
Presidential Proclamation: In signing the proclamation
commemorating National Volunteer Week, April 9-15, the
President challenged every American who cares about the
future of this country to engage in some meaningful form of
community service. He awarded 18 Presidential Awards to
those chosen from nearly 2000 applications -- to winners who
embody the ideals of goodness, compassion and concern for
others.
WELFARE REFORM
The Administration has developed a major new education and
job training program to help recipients of Aid to Families with
Dependent Children move off welfare and become economically self-
sufficient.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
O
Welfare reform: The Administration issued proposed rules on
April 18 to implement the major provisions of the Family
Support Act of 1988. The proposed rules are designed to:
--
Target job training assistance to those who are most
likely to benefit and who are most at risk for long-
term welfare dependency.
--
Provide maximum level of flexibility to AFDC parents in
obtaining the type of child care that best suits their
needs, consistent with the Administration's legislative
proposals on child care.
JOBS Program: The Administration is proposing to spend $3.3
billion over the next five years implementing the JOBS
program. The changes will pay benefits in the future by
reducing the number of individuals on welfare. It is
estimated that 138,000 families will be able to leave
welfare rolls over the next five years as a result of this
program.
EXPANSION OF MEDICAID
The Administration is committed to health care for the
disadvantaged, calling for full funding of Medicaid, $37.6
billion for FY 1990, an increase of $3.3 billion, or 9.6 percent
over the FY 1989 level.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
O
Expanding Medicaid: On April 18, the Administration
forwarded to Congress proposed legislation to make federal
programs better serve pregnant women, infants and children.
The legislation would expand significantly the population
12
Medicaid serves, making Medicaid available to 1.9 million
more women when they became pregnant. The legislation
would:
--
Increase by 374,000 the number of pregnant women and
children eligible for Medicaid.
--
Foster greater participation in Medicaid by eligible
pregnant women by providing services to pregnant women
who are presumed eligible for Medicaid before a formal
eligibility determination is made; and by requiring
States to operate outreach programs in areas of high
infant mortality.
--
Entitle all children under age 6 who are receiving Food
Stamps to Medicaid coverage for immunizations.
--
Make the Federal match rate for State administration
expenses a uniform 50 percent by gradually reducing
special administrative match rates ranging from 75 to
100 percent. The savings that would result would allow
the legislative eligibility changes proposed by the
President to be implemented within the current
program's spending level.
HOUSING/HOMELESSNESS
President Bush has taken a number of steps to create an
"opportunity society" of jobs, growth, housing and hope for
Americans in need of a helping hand.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
Homelessness: A proposal to provide over $1 billion in
federal resources to help end homelessness and pave the way
to jobs, permanent housing, health care and human dignity.
President Bush's proposal calls for fully funding the
McKinney Homeless Assistance Act and for a new $50 million
matching grant program to promote public/private
partnerships to assist homeless families and the mentally
ill.
Enterprise zones: A call for enactment of enterprise zone
legislation, to give urban and rural areas the opportunity
for jobs and hope for the future. President Bush asked
Congress to enact labor and capital-based incentives to
create jobs and entrepreneurial activity in our most
distressed communities.
Affordable housing: A commitment to making housing more
affordable for low-income families, and to provide
homeownership opportunities to the poor and young families
just starting out. President Bush proposes to assist
109,000 new families in need of low-income housing, and has
pledged to maintain assistance to those families already
being helped. President Bush has also signalled his
commitment to empowering poor residents of public housing to
become homeowners through resident management and ownership
of public housing.
13
ETHICS AND CIVIL RIGHTS
High ethical standards and civil rights for all Americans
are central to this Administration, and we will enforce them --
strictly, comprehensively, fairly, and to the letter and spirit
of the law.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
O
Ethics: The President issued an Executive Order creating
the President's Commission on Federal Ethics Law Reform. On
March 9, the Commission filed its report and its
recommendations to the President. Legislation was sent
April 12th to the Congress, and the President issued an
Executive Order announcing ethical principles for the
conduct of executive branch employees. The President's
proposals include:
-- A ban on outside earned income for non-career
Presidential appointees in the executive branch,
including all employees in the immediate White House
Office.
-- Expanded financial disclosure for all three branches of
government.
-- Prohibition of the conversion of political
contributions for personal or office use.
-- A comprehensive review of federal campaign finance
laws, including an assessment of the impact of PACs on
parties, competition and political debate. The
President believes that PAC contributions to candidates
should be eliminated, and he will be consulting with
the Congress on this issue. President Bush is also
opposed to federal funding of congressional campaigns.
:
Deferral of tax liability when an individual is
required by his or her agency to divest assets in order
to avoid conflicts of interest.
-- Strengthened rules against abusing the revolving door
for private gain at the expense of the public trust.
These rules also apply to the legislative branch.
-- A 25 percent pay raise for federal judges was proposed
in separate legislation submitted April 12, while the
ethics reform legislation restricts their acceptance of
honoraria. President Bush believes that honoraria for
Members of Congress should be banned; however, the
President will not formalize that proposal until after
he consults with Congress on that issue and their pay
raise. He will include in that discussion the question
of a pay increase for certain executive branch
positions.
-- The extension of the Independent Counsel statute to
cover the Congress.
--
The extension of the federal statute that prohibits
employees from taking actions that enhance their own
financial interest to cover legislative and judicial
branch employees.
14
--
The establishment of an independent ethics office for
the Congress, to be headed by a clearly nonpartisan
official, confirmed by both houses.
---
The application of the existing one-year post-
employment "cooling-off" period for senior executive-
branch employees to the legislative and judicial
branches.
Whistleblower protection: The President supports public
servants who revere the trust placed in them by the American
people. On April 10, the President signed S. 20, the
"Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989." This law will
strengthen the protections and procedural rights available
to those federal employees who report misdeeds and
mismanagement.
--
This new law will enhance the authority of the Office
of Special Counsel, and whistleblowers will also now be
allowed to take their cases to the Merit Systems
Protection Board.
-- The statute alters the legal burdens of proof, making
it easier for employees to be vindicated when they are
wrongfully penalized by their supervisors for
whistleblowing activities.
Civil rights: The Administration has taken a number of
actions to protect the civil rights of all Americans,
including several court actions in key civil rights cases.
--
On March 8, the Department of Justice endorsed the
objectives of the Hate Crimes Bill and voiced no
opposition to the bill's enactment. The Hate Crimes
Bill provides for the collection of data about crimes
motivated by race, religion, ethnicity or sexual
orientation.
--
On March 13, Attorney General Thornburgh announced the
filing of Federal housing discrimination lawsuits
seeking monetary damages and civil penalties under the
expanded enforcement authority of the Fair Housing
Amendments Act of 1988.
# # #
BUILDING A BETTER AMERICA
APRIL 24, 1989
SUMMARY
Since President Bush took office, he has addressed a series
of tough issues, meeting both urgent short-term priorities and
working toward solutions to the long-term challenges facing the
nation. Relying on basic American principles -- traditional
family values, choice, accountability, fairness, excellence,
peace through strength -- the President is building a better
America by:
1. Keeping the economy strong -- with no new taxes
2. Seizing international opportunities for peace
3. Investing in our future
4. Working for a kinder, gentler America
Keeping the Economy Strong -- With No New Taxes
Record economic growth -- 76 months of economic expansion.
Nearly 20 million new jobs have been created, and the
unemployment rate is now at its lowest since December, 1973.
Real median family income set a new record in 1987 and
continues to grow.
A comprehensive budget proposal sent to the Congress and an
unprecedented bipartisan agreement with the Congress reached
on the budget reducing the Federal budget deficit, meeting
Gramm-Rudman-Hollings deficit reduction targets with no new
taxes
A comprehensive plan to rescue the Savings and Loan industry
which has cleared the Senate
An initiative for cutting the capital gains tax rate sent to
the Congress to encourage investment and create jobs and
opportunity
In the Uruguay Round of GATT trade negotiations, substantial
progress has been made by the Administration toward reducing
trade barriers to U.S. exports
A plan for raising the minimum wage to $4.25 coupled with a
six month training wage
Seizing International Opportunities for Peace
The signing of a bipartisan accord with the Congress on
Central America
The initiation of a dialogue with the Soviet Union.
Secretary Baker met with Foreign Minister Shevardnadze in
March, and these talks will continue when the two meet next
in Moscow
An eight-step program to support Polish political and
economic reforms
Intensive Presidential consultations with the leaders of 34
nations, including 18 bilateral meetings held during the
Asia trip
A plan to strengthen the international response to Third
World debt
Comprehensive foreign policy and defense strategy reviews
initiated
Investing in Our Future
Improving Education
A comprehensive legislative package for educational
excellence sent to the Congress
Protecting our Environment
A multi-agency commitment to oversee the Alaskan oil spill
cleanup effort
The development of Clean Air Act revisions, with provisions
for control of acid rain and other problems
An announcement of an effort to seek legislative authority
to ban hazardous waste exports, where agreements do not
exist for their safe disposal
A call for the worldwide phaseout of CFCs by the year 2000
A plan of action to identify and prioritize clean up of
defense and civilian radioactive waste
A legislative proposal, already enacted by the House, to
deregulate natural gas by January 1, 1993
Fighting Drugs and Crime
A major $6 billion anti-drug abuse initiative focusing on
education, rehabilitation, interdiction and enforcement
Action in response to the drug emergency in the District of
Columbia, including enforcement support, more prison space,
and stepped-up efforts in prevention and rehabilitation
A temporary suspension of imports of certain types of semi-
automatic weapons
Action to modify lease and grievance procedures to
facilitate eviction of those involved in drug related
criminal activity from public housing
New aviation security initiatives announced by the Secretary
of Transportation, to counteract terrorism in the skies
Working for a Kinder, Gentler America
Child Care
A child care initiative to give low and moderate income
working families greater choice and flexibility in meeting
their child care needs
Legislation to increase the FY 1990 authorization for Head
Start by $250 million to help up to 95,000 more 4-year olds
National Service
The creation of the Office of National Service in the White
House, and leadership in the Administration's initiative on
volunteerism
Welfare Reform and Medicaid
Quick action to implement major welfare reform legislation
that will help reduce long-term welfare dependency
Expansion of the Medicaid program to serve more pregnant
women, infants, and children
Homelessness
An initiative to provide over $1 billion in federal
resources to help end homelessness and pave the way to jobs,
permanent housing and health care
Ethics and Civil Rights
A comprehensive ethics proposal to make uniform the
standards among all three branches of government
Whistleblower protection legislation, now law, to strengthen
the rights of those who report misdeeds and mismanagement
Enforcement of the new Fair Housing Laws, to fully prosecute
those discriminating in housing opportunities on the basis
of religion, race, age, ethnicity, handicap or family status
Support by the Department of Justice for the objectives of
the Hate Crimes Bill, which provides for the collection of
data about crimes motivated by race, religion, ethnicity or
sexual orientation
President Bush has set an agenda for the country. He is
orienting us as a nation toward the future -- building a better
America -- keeping America strong and at peace. Leadership is
the ability to see the shape of things to come, to address
tomorrow's challenges today. George Bush is preparing the nation
for the 21st Century.
BUILDING A BETTER AMERICA
APRIL 24, 1989
KEEPING THE ECONOMY STRONG -- WITH NO NEW TAXES
Keeping our nation's economy strong is the key to managing
change successfully. The news is good:
Record expansion: We are now in the 76th month of the
current economic expansion.
Job creation: Nearly 20 million new jobs have been created,
and the unemployment rate has declined to 4.9 percent, a 15
year low. During this decade, America has created more new
jobs than Japan and the nations of Western Europe combined.
Record income: Per capita personal income, after taxes and
inflation, has risen 17 percent during the expansion; real
income of the median family -- the family exactly in the
middle of the income distribution -- set a new record in
1987 and continues to grow.
Industrial output: During this expansion, American
industrial output has grown 33 percent compared with overall
economic growth of 26 percent. This is double Europe's
growth rate in industrial output and even slightly more than
Japan's rate of increase during the same period.
Inflation under control: We have had seven straight years
of consumer price inflation under 5 percent. The
Administration supports the Federal Reserve's efforts to
restrain inflation while maintaining real economic growth.
The Administration and the Fed share the goal of ultimately
achieving price stability -- zero inflation.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
Presenting a budget: The President put forth a budget which
addresses our fundamental obligations for protection of
national security and support of the needy, while providing
sufficient funds to advance high-priority initiatives. The
President's budget restrains overall growth of spending and
meets the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings targets -- with no new
taxes.
Reaching a budget agreement with Congress: The President
and Congress announced on April 14 a budget plan to reduce
the estimated FY 1990 deficit by about $64 billion below FY
1989. The deficit will be reduced to $99.4 billion, as
required by the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings law. This is the
2
first budget agreement reached before the start of the
budget year and not framed in the context of crisis.
Savings and Loan reform: The Administration has transmitted
the "Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement
Act of 1989" to Congress, which has already cleared the
Senate. The proposal includes provisions to:
-- Assure financial integrity of deposit insurance by
raising the annual premium rate for both commercial
banks and S&Ls.
--
Resolve the status of existing insolvent banks in an
orderly fashion.
--
Improve supervisory control by bringing S&Ls up to the
same standards applied to commercial banks.
--
Enhance enforcement of bank fraud provisions.
Capital gains tax rate cut: The re-establishment of a
capital gains differential will encourage capital formation,
and investment and stimulate job creation. The President
has sent to the Congress a proposal which includes:
--
A 45 percent capital gains exclusion for qualified
capital gains, making the maximum capital gains tax
rate 15 percent.
--
A phased-in increase in the qualifying holding period
from one year to three years.
:
Families earning under $20,000 would be exempted from
the tax.
Minimum wage proposal: The President is seeking to minimize
the adverse economic impact of an across-the-board increase
in the minimum wage, and to keep job opportunities available
for youth and those seeking to enter the economic
mainstream. His proposal is:
--
A 27 percent increase in the minimum wage over three
years to $4.25 for most workers.
--
Maintaining the current $3.35 minimum for all new
employees of a firm on the job for less than six
months, regardless of age or previous employment.
An increase in the small business exemption to include
all firms, not just retail and service establishments,
with gross sales under $500,000.
--
An increase in the tip credit from 40 percent to 50
percent.
The President's pledge to veto an excessive increase in the
minimum wage has gained strong support in both Houses of
Congress.
International Trade: The Administration broke a logjam in
international trade talks which had existed since late 1988.
In breaking the stalemate, the United States advanced its
proposal to correct and prevent trade distortions in
agriculture. This clears the way for negotiations that -- if
3
successful over the next 20 months -- will greatly expand
rules governing free and open trade.
Agricultural initiatives:
--
The announcement of additional advance deficiency
payments of 10 percent available to producers of wheat,
feed grains, rice and upland cotton.
--
The establishment of a top-level Working Group on Rural
Development to focus on an action-oriented agenda.
4
SEIZING INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEACE
The Administration's policy of peace through strength is
working. As he prepares for both the 40th Anniversary of NATO in
Brussels and the economic summit in Paris, President Bush has
undertaken a number of foreign policy initiatives to maintain
America's position of world leadership.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
Bipartisan accord: On March 24, the President signed the
Bipartisan Accord on Central America with top leaders of the
Congress. The agreement sets out the broad outlines of a
strong and effective U.S. policy in the region:
Humanitarian aid: Congress has agreed to support the
Administration's request for continued humanitarian
assistance for the Nicaraguan Democratic Resistance at
current levels through the elections in Nicaragua
scheduled for February, 1990.
Democracy and Regional Peace: The burden of proof is on
the Sandinista government to do something it has
steadfastly refused to do from 1979 to 1989: keep its
promises to its people and its neighbors. If those
pledges of democracy and peace continue to be violated,
we hope and expect that other nations will find ways to
join us to condemn those actions. But if those
promises are kept, we have an opportunity to start a
new day in Central America.
Support for reform in Poland: The Polish people are now
taking concrete steps which deserve our active support.
Those reforms include the legalization of Poland's heroic
trade union movement, Solidarity, and were recognized by
President Bush's initiative, which contained eight steps to
support Polish political and economic reforms:
-- The President is asking the Congress to join him in
providing Poland access to our Generalized System of
Preferences, which offers selective tariff relief to
beneficiary countries.
:
We are working with our allies and friends in the Paris
Club to develop sustainable new schedules for Poland to
repay its debt, easing a heavy burden so that a free
market can grow.
:
The President is also asking Congress to join him in
authorizing the Overseas Private Investment Corporation
to operate in Poland.
:
The President is proposing negotiations for a private
business agreement with Poland to encourage cooperation
between U.S. firms and Poland's private businesses.
The U.S. will continue to consider supporting, on their
merits, viable loans to the private sector by the
International Finance Corporation.
5
The President supports the Roundtable agreements that
clear the way for Poland to be able to work with the
International Monetary Fund on programs that encourage
sound, new, market-oriented economic policies.
The Administration is also encouraging business and
non-profit groups to develop innovative programs to
swap Polish debt for equity in Polish enterprises; and
for charitable, humanitarian and environmental
projects.
The President will support imaginative educational,
cultural and training programs to help liberate the
creative energies of the Polish people.
Bilateral meetings: The President has met with a total of 34
foreign leaders while in office, including a series of 18
bilateral meetings during the trip to Emperor Hirohito's
funeral. President Bush has met with leaders from the
Middle East, including Prime Minister Shamir of Israel,
President Mubarak of Egypt and King Hussein of Jordan.
A dialogue has begun with the Soviet Union. Secretary Baker
met with Foreign Minister Shevardnadze in March, and these
talks will continue when the two meet next in Moscow
Inter-American Development Bank: The Bush Administration
successfully concluded negotiations which will lead to a
substantial increase in the Bank's resources. The resulting
$22.5 billion in lending over the 1990-93 period will
support development efforts in major Latin American debtor
countries as well as the smaller countries of Central
America and the Caribbean.
Initiative on Third World Debt: The President's initiative
to strengthen the international strategy on Third World debt
has already received broad international support from both
industrialized and developing countries. The approach is
designed to promote sustained growth in developing countries
by:
:
Emphasizing sound market-oriented economic policies in
debtor countries, particularly measures to promote
investment and repatriation of flight capital;
-- Increasing the focus on debt and debt service reduction
to complement new lending by commercial banks;
-- Using resources from the World Bank and International
Monetary Fund to catalyze voluntary debt and debt
service reduction by the commercial banks.
GATT: In the Uruguay Round of GATT trade negotiations, the
Administration has made substantial progress toward reducing
trade barriers to U.S. exports.
Policy reviews: President Bush has ordered a comprehensive
review of foreign policy and defense strategies, soon to be
completed.
6
INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE
EDUCATION
The President's actions to improve education are guided by
four key principles: that excellence and success in education
should be recognized and rewarded; that federal funding should be
targeted to those who need it most; that choice and flexibility -
- for educators, parents and students -- are important to
educational reform and to achieving excellence; and finally, that
greater accountability is needed in the education system to
assure that students are actually receiving the highest quality
education.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
o
The President proposed and sent to the Congress a
comprehensive education package, "The Educational Excellence
Act of 1989" which includes seven initiatives:
-- The Presidential Merit Schools program -- to reward
schools that have made substantial progress in raising
students' educational achievement, creating a safe and
drug-free school environment, and reducing the drop-out
rate.
--
A new Magnet Schools of Excellence program -- to
support the establishment, expansion or enhancement of
magnet schools, increasing parental choice and
improving quality education.
--
The Alternative Certification of Teachers and
Principals program -- to assist States interested in
broadening the pool of talent from which to recruit
teachers and principals.
--
President's Awards for Excellence in Education -- to be
awarded to public and private school teachers in every
state who meet the highest standards of excellence.
-- Drug-free Schools Urban Emergency Grants -- to provide
special assistance to selected urban school districts
that are disproportionately affected by drug
trafficking and abuse.
-- A National Science Scholars program -- to provide
college scholarships to high school seniors who have
excelled in the sciences and mathematics.
-- Additional Funding Authorization for Endowment Matching
Grants at Historically Black Colleges and Universities
to strengthen HBCUs by building endowments, an
especially effective way to create financial strength
and long-term security.
THE ENVIRONMENT
President Bush, a long-time environmentalist, has taken
strong action to protect the environment. He is working
shoulder-to-shoulder with Interior Secretary Lujan, Energy
Secretary Watkins, and EPA Administrator Reilly on a number of
fronts.
7
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
o
Alaskan oil spill:
--
A Cabinet-level team was sent to assess the Alaskan oil
spill situation, and a joint federal-state resource
recovery team was convened, with Secretary of
Transportation Skinner now coordinating all efforts.
Coast Guard Commandant Yost has returned to Alaska to
assume personal oversight of developments, and the
National Transportation Safety Board is investigating
the accident itself. Exxon has accepted responsibility
for paying for the cleanup, and for employing local
civilian personnel necessary to control further damage.
In addition to the considerable federal personnel and
equipment already in place, on April 7, the President
announced that Defense Secretary Cheney will make
available U.S. Armed Forces personnel and equipment to
assist in the cleanup. EPA Administrator Reilly will
coordinate the long-range planning to restore the
environment of Prince William Sound, and the President
has ordered a review of existing contingency plans for
accidents such as this. The Departments of Interior,
Commerce and Agriculture, with the State of Alaska,
have begun a scientific assessment of damages to
natural resources. Exxon has provided $15 million in
up-front funding for this effort.
The President has set up a special task force to
address environmental concerns about oil and gas
drilling off the coasts of California and Florida.
Cleaning up hazardous wastes: The President announced he
will be seeking new legislation to give the United States
Government authority to ban all exports of hazardous waste
except where an agreement exists with the receiving country
providing for the safe handling and management of those
wastes.
Also, Secretary of Energy Watkins has put forth a plan of
action to identify and prioritize clean up of defense and
civilian radioactive waste.
Superfund: The President is reinvigorating the Superfund
hazardous waste clean-up program by directing EPA to take a
number of actions, including more aggressive action to force
private parties to clean up sites, stepped-up cost recovery,
and better use of existing emergency cleanup authorities.
EPA is also now finishing a priority review of Superfund to
improve its operation.
Ozone depletion: The President has called for a total
worldwide phaseout of CFCs by the year 2000, provided safe
substitutes are available, in order to prevent further
damage to the earth's protective ozone layer.
8
Clean Air and Acid Rain: The President committed his
Administration to submitting a. new Clean Air Act, including
provisions for control of acid rain, ozone, and toxic air
pollutants. Top Administration officials have begun
drafting a bill, in consultation with leaders of Congress.
Clean water and coastlines: The EPA has started a tracking
system for medical wastes and the Justice Department has
started a task force to prosecute these abuses -- the first
step in a comprehensive program to help keep our beaches
clean. The President is committed to end ocean dumping of
sewage sludge by 1991.
Wetlands: The President is committed to "no net loss of
wetlands" and is directing his agencies to work toward that
goal. He has also proposed $206 million in his budget to
expand our parks and wildlife refuges.
FIGHTING DRUGS AND CRIME
With the confirmation of Bill Bennett as Director of
National Drug Control Policy, and the trip by Attorney General
Thornburgh to South America to meet with local leaders with
regard to joint eradication and interdiction efforts, we have
begun a new war on drugs in this country. The President believes
a four-pronged approach is key: education, rehabilitation,
interdiction and enforcement. The policy of this Administration
is "zero tolerance." No amount of illegal drug use is
acceptable. This means dealing with both supply and demand.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
O
Budget: The Administration is requesting $6 billion in
funding for FY 1990 to fight the drug war, increasing
outlays by nearly $1 billion for drug education, treatment
and enforcement.
Education: The Administration is requesting nearly $1.1
billion for education and prevention efforts. This is a 16
percent increase over 1989, and includes funding for ongoing
programs and new initiatives.
Rehabilitation: Funding for drug abuse treatment will be
increased 18 percent. The Administration is proposing over
$700 million to expand the nation's capacity to provide
treatment, particularly to the indigent, disadvantaged,
youth, and expectant mothers.
Interdiction and enforcement: The Administration is
proposing over $4.1 billion for law enforcement programs in
1990, a 10 percent increase over 1989. This constitutes
about 70 percent of President Bush's proposed drug budget.
Substantial increases are requested in funding to strengthen
inspection, interdiction, intelligence efforts and crop
9
eradication programs, such as Operation Polar Cap, a
federally led effort which broke up a $1.2 billion drug
money-laundering operation. The President strongly supports
the death penalty for drug kingpins who commit drug-related
murders, and will appoint judges who will strongly enforce
the drug penalty laws.
The Administration imposed a temporary suspension of imports
of certain types of semi-automatic weapons, and has
undertaken an emergency study to identify the best means of
reducing drug-related killings and other violent crime.
Public housing: The Bush Administration is working to make
public housing drug free, to protect the rights of the vast
majority of decent, law-abiding public housing residents.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development has acted:
--
To modify its lease and grievance procedures to
facilitate eviction of those involved in drug related
criminal activity;
--
To make drug use and trafficking a lease violation
subject to eviction proceedings;
--
To target federal assistance to anti-drug security
measures;
--
To revoke federal housing subsidies from those dealing
in drugs;
--
To involve the private and voluntary sectors in efforts
to rid public housing of drugs and give residents,
especially young people, a stake in their communities
and their futures.
In addition, the Office of National Drug Control Policy has
responded to the drug emergency in the District of Columbia:
-- A Metropolitan Area Task Force will be expanded, with
57 additional representatives from federal agencies,
and state and local police from D.C., Maryland and
Virginia.
--
More prisons: The federal Bureau of Prisons will take
custody of 250 inmates from the D.C. jail, and work to
locate land for construction of a new prison.
Enforcement: The FBI will provide support to D.C.
police in investigations of drug-related murders.
--
Rehabilitation: The National Institute on Drug Abuse
will provide assistance in local treatment efforts and
will be authorized to establish three new outpatient
clinics by 1990.
Prevention: The Department of Education will provide
the District with 50 percent more funds for drug
prevention programs in city schools. The Department of
Labor will work with the business community to increase
job training for youth, and will provide a $100,000
grant to establish employee assistance programs for
drug abuse.
10
WORKING FOR A KINDER, GENTLER AMERICA
CHILD CARE
The changing nature of American society heightens the need
for quality, affordable, accessible child care. President Bush
wants to put choice in the hands of parents so that they -- not
government -- have the power to select the best and safest
environment for their children.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
Child care: The President has proposed a child care package,
the "Working Family Child Care Assistance Act of 1989"
which:
:
Provides a new refundable child care tax credit of up
to $1000 per child under four, for low and moderate
income working families.
-- Makes the existing Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit
refundable.
--
Does not discriminate against religious- and family-
based child care.
The President has directed Secretary of Labor Dole to study
the market for liability insurance to determine if liability
issues impair child care.
Head Start: The President has also transmitted legislation
to the Congress which would increase the FY 1990
authorization for Head Start by $250 million; this will pay
for enrollment of up to 95,000 more four-year-olds in the
program.
NATIONAL SERVICE
President Bush has said that "From now on in America, any
definition of a successful life must include serving others."
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
Office of National Service: The President established in the
White House the Office of National Service to lead the
Administration's national service movement. This Office
will identify effective community service models and
encourage others to duplicate them across the country. It
will challenge individuals, schools, businesses, civic and
service groups, religious institutions and other entities to
expand existing community service programs and to create new
ones. The goal of this Office is to make service to others
a central part of every American's life, and in so doing, to
help to ameliorate the urgent ills which fray the fabric of
American society. The Office will recommend changes in
national social and economic policy to promote and encourage
11
service, including tort law reform, welfare law reform and
housing, to name a few.
Presidential Proclamation: In signing the proclamation
commemorating National Volunteer Week, April 9-15, the
President challenged every American who cares about the
future of this country to engage in some meaningful form of
community service. He awarded 18 Presidential Awards to
those chosen from nearly 2000 applications -- to winners who
embody the ideals of goodness, compassion and concern for
others.
WELFARE REFORM
The Administration has developed a major new education and
job training program to help recipients of Aid to Families with
Dependent Children move off welfare and become economically self-
sufficient.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
o
Welfare reform: The Administration issued proposed rules on
April 18 to implement the major provisions of the Family
Support Act of 1988. The proposed rules are designed to:
--
Target job training assistance to those who are most
likely to benefit and who are most at risk for long-
term welfare dependency.
--
Provide maximum level of flexibility to AFDC parents in
obtaining the type of child care that best suits their
needs, consistent with the Administration's legislative
proposals on child care.
JOBS Program: The Administration is proposing to spend $3.3
billion over the next five years implementing the JOBS
program. The changes will pay benefits in the future by
reducing the number of individuals on welfare. It is
estimated that 138,000 families will be able to leave
welfare rolls over the next five years as a result of this
program.
EXPANSION OF MEDICAID
The Administration is committed to health care for the
disadvantaged, calling for full funding of Medicaid, $37.6
billion for FY 1990, an increase of $3.3 billion, or 9.6 percent
over the FY 1989 level.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
Expanding Medicaid: On April 18, the Administration
forwarded to Congress proposed legislation to make federal
programs better serve pregnant women, infants and children.
The legislation would expand significantly the population
12
Medicaid serves, making Medicaid available to 1.9 million
more women when they became pregnant. The legislation
would:
-- Increase by 374,000 the number of pregnant women and
children eligible for Medicaid.
Foster greater participation in Medicaid by eligible
pregnant women by providing services to pregnant women
who are presumed eligible for Medicaid before a formal
eligibility determination is made; and by requiring
States to operate outreach programs in areas of high
infant mortality.
-- Entitle all children under age 6 who are receiving Food
Stamps to Medicaid coverage for immunizations.
--
Make the Federal match rate for State administration
expenses a uniform 50 percent by gradually reducing
special administrative match rates ranging from 75 to
100 percent. The savings that would result would allow
the legislative eligibility changes proposed by the
President to be implemented within the current
program's spending level.
HOUSING/HOMELESSNESS
President Bush has taken a number of steps to create an
"opportunity society" of jobs, growth, housing and hope for
Americans in need of a helping hand.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
Homelessness: A proposal to provide over $1 billion in
federal resources to help end homelessness and pave the way
to jobs, permanent housing, health care and human dignity.
President Bush's proposal calls for fully funding the
McKinney Homeless Assistance Act and for a new $50 million
matching grant program to promote public/private
partnerships to assist homeless families and the mentally
ill.
Enterprise zones: A call for enactment of enterprise zone
legislation, to give urban and rural areas the opportunity
for jobs and hope for the future. President Bush asked
Congress to enact labor and capital-based incentives to
create jobs and entrepreneurial activity in our most
distressed communities.
Affordable housing: A commitment to making housing more
affordable for low-income families, and to provide
homeownership opportunities to the poor and young families
just starting out. President Bush proposes to assist
109,000 new families in need of low-income housing, and has
pledged to maintain assistance to those families already
being helped. President Bush has also signalled his
commitment to empowering poor residents of public housing to
become homeowners through resident management and ownership
of public housing.
13
ETHICS AND CIVIL RIGHTS
High ethical standards and civil rights for all Americans
are central to this Administration, and we will enforce them --
strictly, comprehensively, fairly, and to the letter and spirit
of the law.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
O
Ethics: The President issued an Executive Order creating
the President's Commission on Federal Ethics Law Reform. On
March 9, the Commission filed its report and its
recommendations to the President. Legislation was sent
April 12th to the Congress, and the President issued an
Executive Order announcing ethical principles for the
conduct of executive branch employees. The President's
proposals include:
--
A ban on outside earned income for non-career
Presidential appointees in the executive branch,
including all employees in the immediate White House
Office.
-- Expanded financial disclosure for all three branches of
government.
:
Prohibition of the conversion of political
contributions for personal or office use.
--
A comprehensive review of federal campaign finance
laws, including an assessment of the impact of PACs on
parties, competition and political debate. The
President believes that PAC contributions to candidates
should be eliminated, and he will be consulting with
the Congress on this issue. President Bush is also
opposed to federal funding of congressional campaigns.
:
Deferral of tax liability when an individual is
required by his or her agency to divest assets in order
to avoid conflicts of interest.
:
Strengthened rules against abusing the revolving door
for private gain at the expense of the public trust.
These rules also apply to the legislative branch.
A 25 percent pay raise for federal judges was proposed
in separate legislation submitted April 12, while the
ethics reform legislation restricts their acceptance of
honoraria. President Bush believes that honoraria for
Members of Congress should be banned; however, the
President will not formalize that proposal until after
he consults with Congress on that issue and their pay
raise. He will include in that discussion the question
of a pay increase for certain executive branch
positions.
-- The extension of the Independent Counsel statute to
cover the Congress.
:
The extension of the federal statute that prohibits
employees from taking actions that enhance their own
financial interest to cover legislative and judicial
branch employees.
14
--
The establishment of an independent ethics office for
the Congress, to be headed by a clearly nonpartisan
official, confirmed by both houses.
-- The application of the existing one-year post-
employment "cooling-off" period for senior executive-
branch employees to the legislative and judicial
branches.
Whistleblower protection: The President supports public
servants who revere the trust placed in them by the American
people. On April 10, the President signed S. 20, the
"Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989." This law will
strengthen the protections and procedural rights available
to those federal employees who report misdeeds and
mismanagement.
--
This new law will enhance the authority of the Office
of Special Counsel, and whistleblowers will also now be
allowed to take their cases to the Merit Systems
Protection Board.
-- The statute alters the legal burdens of proof, making
it easier for employees to be vindicated when they are
wrongfully penalized by their supervisors for
whistleblowing activities.
civil rights: The Administration has taken a number of
actions to protect the civil rights of all Americans,
including several court actions in key civil rights cases.
--
On March 8, the Department of Justice endorsed the
objectives of the Hate Crimes Bill and voiced no
opposition to the bill's enactment. The Hate Crimes
Bill provides for the collection of data about crimes
motivated by race, religion, ethnicity or sexual
orientation.
--
On March 13, Attorney General Thornburgh announced the
filing of Federal housing discrimination lawsuits
seeking monetary damages and civil penalties under the
expanded enforcement authority of the Fair Housing
Amendments Act of 1988.
# # #
BUILDING A BETTER AMERICA
APRIL 24, 1989
KEEPING THE ECONOMY STRONG -- WITH NO NEW TAXES
Keeping our nation's economy strong is the key to managing
change successfully. The news is good:
Record expansion: We are now in the 76th month of the
current economic expansion.
Job creation: Nearly 20 million new jobs have been created,
and the unemployment rate has declined to 4.9 percent, a 15
year low. During this decade, America has created more new
jobs than Japan and the nations of Western Europe combined.
Record income: Per capita personal income, after taxes and
inflation, has risen 17 percent during the expansion; real
income of the median family -- the family exactly in the
middle of the income distribution -- set a new record in
1987 and continues to grow.
Industrial output: During this expansion, American
industrial output has grown 33 percent compared with overall
economic growth of 26 percent. This is double Europe's
growth rate in industrial output and even slightly more than
Japan's rate of increase during the same period.
Inflation under control: We have had seven straight years
of consumer price inflation under 5 percent. The
Administration supports the Federal Reserve's efforts to
restrain inflation while maintaining real economic growth.
The Administration and the Fed share the goal of ultimately
achieving price stability -- zero inflation.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
Presenting a budget: The President put forth a budget which
addresses our fundamental obligations for protection of
national security and support of the needy, while providing
sufficient funds to advance high-priority initiatives. The
President's budget restrains overall growth of spending and
meets the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings targets -- with no new
taxes.
Reaching a budget agreement with Congress: The President
and Congress announced on April 14 a budget plan to reduce
the estimated FY 1990 deficit by about $64 billion below FY
1989. The deficit will be reduced to $99.4 billion, as
required by the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings law. This is the
2
first budget agreement reached before the start of the
budget year and not framed in the context of crisis.
Savings and Loan reform: The Administration has transmitted
the "Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery and Enforcement
Act of 1989". to Congress, which has already cleared the
Senate. The proposal includes provisions to:
:
Assure financial integrity of deposit insurance by
raising the annual premium rate for both commercial
banks and S&Ls.
Resolve the status of existing insolvent banks in an
orderly fashion.
:
Improve supervisory control by bringing S&Ls up to the
same standards applied to commercial banks.
:
Enhance enforcement of bank fraud provisions.
Capital gains tax rate cut: The re-establishment of a
capital gains differential will encourage capital formation,
and investment and stimulate job creation. The President
has sent to the Congress a proposal which includes:
--
A 45 percent capital gains exclusion for qualified
capital gains, making the maximum capital gains tax
rate 15 percent.
--
A phased-in increase in the qualifying holding period
from one year to three years.
--
Families earning under $20,000 would be exempted from
the tax.
Minimum wage proposal: The President is seeking to minimize
the adverse economic impact of an across-the-board increase
in the minimum wage, and to keep job opportunities available
for youth and those seeking to enter the economic
mainstream. His proposal is:
--
A 27 percent increase in the minimum wage over three
years to $4.25 for most workers.
:
Maintaining the current $3.35 minimum for all new
employees of a firm on the job for less than six
months, regardless of age or previous employment.
--
An increase in the small business exemption to include
all firms, not just retail and service establishments,
with gross sales under $500,000.
:
An increase in the tip credit from 40 percent to 50
percent.
The President's pledge to veto an excessive increase in the
minimum wage has gained strong support in both Houses of
Congress.
International Trade: The Administration broke a logjam in
international trade talks which had existed since late 1988.
In breaking the stalemate, the United States advanced its
proposal to correct and prevent trade distortions in
agriculture. This clears the way for negotiations that -- if
3
successful over the next 20 months -- will greatly expand
rules governing free and open trade.
Agricultural initiatives:
--
The announcement of additional advance deficiency
payments of 10 percent available to producers of wheat,
feed grains, rice and upland cotton.
--
The establishment of a top-level Working Group on Rural
Development to focus on an action-oriented agenda.
4
SEIZING INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEACE
The Administration's policy of peace through strength is
working. As he prepares for both the 40th Anniversary of NATO in
Brussels and the economic summit in Paris, President Bush has
undertaken a number of foreign policy initiatives to maintain
America's position of world leadership.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
Bipartisan accord: On March 24, the President signed the
Bipartisan Accord on Central America with top leaders of the
Congress. The agreement sets out the broad outlines of a
strong and effective U.S. policy in the region:
Humanitarian aid: Congress has agreed to support the
Administration's request for continued humanitarian
assistance for the Nicaraguan Democratic Resistance at
current levels through the elections in Nicaragua
scheduled for February, 1990.
Democracy and Regional Peace: The burden of proof is on
the Sandinista government to do something it has
steadfastly refused to do from 1979 to 1989: keep its
promises to its people and its neighbors. If those
pledges of democracy and peace continue to be violated,
we hope and expect that other nations will find ways to
join us to condemn those actions. But if those
promises are kept, we have an opportunity to start a
new day in Central America.
Support for reform in Poland: The Polish people are now
taking concrete steps which deserve our active support.
Those reforms include the legalization of Poland's heroic
trade union movement, Solidarity, and were recognized by
President Bush's initiative, which contained eight steps to
support Polish political and economic reforms:
The President is asking the Congress to join him in
providing Poland access to our Generalized System of
Preferences, which offers selective tariff relief to
beneficiary countries.
-- We are working with our allies and friends in the Paris
Club to develop sustainable new schedules for Poland to
repay its debt, easing a heavy burden so that a free
market can grow.
The President is also asking Congress to join him in
authorizing the Overseas Private Investment Corporation
to operate in Poland.
The President is proposing negotiations for a private
business agreement with Poland to encourage cooperation
between U.S. firms and Poland's private businesses.
The U.S. will continue to consider supporting, on their
merits, viable loans to the private sector by the
International Finance Corporation.
5
The President supports the Roundtable agreements that
clear the way for Poland to be able to work with the
International Monetary Fund on programs that encourage
sound, new, market-oriented economic policies.
The Administration is also encouraging business and
non-profit groups to develop innovative programs to
swap Polish debt for equity in Polish enterprises; and
for charitable, humanitarian and environmental
projects.
The President will support imaginative educational,
cultural and training programs to help liberate the
creative energies of the Polish people.
Bilateral meetings: The President has met with a total of 34
foreign leaders while in office, including a series of 18
bilateral meetings during the trip to Emperor Hirohito's
funeral. President Bush has met with leaders from the
Middle East, including Prime Minister Shamir of Israel,
President Mubarak of Egypt and King Hussein of Jordan.
A dialogue has begun with the Soviet Union. Secretary Baker
met with Foreign Minister Shevardnadze in March, and these
talks will continue when the two meet next in Moscow
Inter-American Development Bank: The Bush Administration
successfully concluded negotiations which will lead to a
substantial increase in the Bank's resources. The resulting
$22.5 billion in lending over the 1990-93 period will
support development efforts in major Latin American debtor
countries as well as the smaller countries of Central
America and the Caribbean.
Initiative on Third World Debt: The President's initiative
to strengthen the international strategy on Third World debt
has already received broad international support from both
industrialized and developing countries. The approach is
designed to promote sustained growth in developing countries
by:
--
Emphasizing sound market-oriented economic policies in
debtor countries, particularly measures to promote
investment and repatriation of flight capital;
Increasing the focus on debt and debt service reduction
to complement new lending by commercial banks;
Using resources from the World Bank and International
Monetary Fund to catalyze voluntary debt and debt
service reduction by the commercial banks.
GATT: In the Uruguay Round of GATT trade negotiations, the
Administration has made substantial progress toward reducing
trade barriers to U.S. exports.
Policy reviews: President Bush has ordered a comprehensive
review of foreign policy and defense strategies, soon to be
completed.
6
INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE
EDUCATION
The President's actions to improve education are guided by
four key principles: that excellence and success in education
should be recognized and rewarded; that federal funding should be
targeted to those who need it most; that choice and flexibility -
- for educators, parents and students -- are important to
educational reform and to achieving excellence; and finally, that
greater accountability is needed in the education system to
assure that students are actually receiving the highest quality
education.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
o
The President proposed and sent to the Congress a
comprehensive education package, "The Educational Excellence
Act of 1989" which includes seven initiatives:
-- The Presidential Merit Schools program -- to reward
schools that have made substantial progress in raising
students' educational achievement, creating a safe and
drug-free school environment, and reducing the drop-out
rate.
A new Magnet Schools of Excellence program -- to
support the establishment, expansion or enhancement of
magnet schools, increasing parental choice and
improving quality education.
--
The Alternative Certification of Teachers and
Principals program -- to assist States interested in
broadening the pool of talent from which to recruit
teachers and principals.
I
President's Awards for Excellence in Education -- to be
awarded to public and private school teachers in every
state who meet the highest standards of excellence.
:
Drug-free Schools Urban Emergency Grants -- to provide
special assistance to selected urban school districts
that are disproportionately affected by drug
trafficking and abuse.
:
A National Science Scholars program -- to provide
college scholarships to high school seniors who have
excelled in the sciences and mathematics.
--
Additional Funding Authorization for Endowment Matching
Grants at Historically Black Colleges and Universities
to strengthen HBCUs by building endowments, an
especially effective way to create financial strength
and long-term security.
THE ENVIRONMENT
President Bush, a long-time environmentalist, has taken
strong action to protect the environment. He is working
shoulder-to-shoulder with Interior Secretary Lujan, Energy
Secretary Watkins, and EPA Administrator Reilly on a number of
fronts.
7
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
Alaskan oil spill:
A Cabinet-level team was sent to assess the Alaskan oil
spill situation, and a joint federal-state resource
recovery team was convened, with Secretary of
Transportation Skinner now coordinating all efforts.
Coast Guard Commandant Yost has returned to Alaska to
assume personal oversight of developments, and the
National Transportation Safety Board is investigating
the accident itself. Exxon has accepted responsibility
for paying for the cleanup, and for employing local
civilian personnel necessary to control further damage.
In addition to the considerable federal personnel and
equipment already in place, on April 7, the President
announced that Defense Secretary Cheney will make
available U.S. Armed Forces personnel and equipment to
assist in the cleanup. EPA Administrator Reilly will
coordinate the long-range planning to restore the
environment of Prince William Sound, and the President
has ordered a review of existing contingency plans for
accidents such as this. The Departments of Interior,
Commerce and Agriculture, with the State of Alaska,
have begun a scientific assessment of damages to
natural resources. Exxon has provided $15 million in
up-front funding for this effort.
The President has set up a special task force to
address environmental concerns about oil and gas
drilling off the coasts of California and Florida.
Cleaning up hazardous wastes: The President announced he
will be seeking new legislation to give the United States
Government authority to ban all exports of hazardous waste
except where an agreement exists with the receiving country
providing for the safe handling and management of those
wastes.
Also, Secretary of Energy Watkins has put forth a plan of
action to identify and prioritize clean up of defense and
civilian radioactive waste.
Superfund: The President is reinvigorating the Superfund
hazardous waste clean-up program by directing EPA to take a
number of actions, including more aggressive action to force
private parties to clean up sites, stepped-up cost recovery,
and better use of existing emergency cleanup authorities.
EPA is also now finishing a priority review of Superfund to
improve its operation.
Ozone depletion: The President has called for a total
worldwide phaseout of CFCs by the year 2000, provided safe
substitutes are available, in order to prevent further
damage to the earth's protective ozone layer.
8
Clean Air and Acid Rain: The President committed his
Administration to submitting a new Clean Air Act, including
provisions for control of acid rain, ozone, and toxic air
pollutants. Top Administration officials have begun
drafting a bill, in consultation with leaders of Congress.
Clean water and coastlines: The EPA has started a tracking
system for medical wastes and the Justice Department has
started a task force to prosecute these abuses -- the first
step in a comprehensive program to help keep our beaches
clean. The President is committed to end ocean dumping of
sewage sludge by 1991.
Wetlands: The President is committed to "no net loss of
wetlands" and is directing his agencies to work toward that
goal. He has also proposed $206 million in his budget to
expand our parks and wildlife refuges.
FIGHTING DRUGS AND CRIME
With the confirmation of Bill Bennett as Director of
National Drug Control Policy, and the trip by Attorney General
Thornburgh to South America to meet with local leaders with
regard to joint eradication and interdiction efforts, we have
begun a new war on drugs in this country. The President believes
a four-pronged approach is key: education, rehabilitation,
interdiction and enforcement. The policy of this Administration
is "zero tolerance." No amount of illegal drug use is
acceptable. This means dealing with both supply and demand.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
Budget: The Administration is requesting $6 billion in
funding for FY 1990 to fight the drug war, increasing
outlays by nearly $1 billion for drug education, treatment
and enforcement.
Education: The Administration is requesting nearly $1.1
billion for education and prevention efforts. This is a 16
percent increase over 1989, and includes funding for ongoing
programs and new initiatives.
Rehabilitation: Funding for drug abuse treatment will be
increased 18 percent. The Administration is proposing over
$700 million to expand the nation's capacity to provide
treatment, particularly to the indigent, disadvantaged,
youth, and expectant mothers.
Interdiction and enforcement: The Administration is
proposing over $4.1 billion for law enforcement programs in
1990, a 10 percent increase over 1989. This constitutes
about 70 percent of President Bush's proposed drug budget.
Substantial increases are requested in funding to strengthen
inspection, interdiction, intelligence efforts and crop
9
eradication programs, such as Operation Polar Cap, a
federally led effort which broke up a $1.2 billion drug
money-laundering operation. The President strongly supports
the death penalty for drug kingpins who commit drug-related
murders, and will appoint judges who will strongly enforce
the drug penalty laws.
The Administration imposed a temporary suspension of imports
of certain types of semi-automatic weapons, and has
undertaken an emergency study to identify the best means of
reducing drug-related killings and other violent crime.
Public housing: The Bush Administration is working to make
public housing drug free, to protect the rights of the vast
majority of decent, law-abiding public housing residents.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development has acted:
--
To modify its lease and grievance procedures to
facilitate eviction of those involved in drug related
criminal activity;
--
To make drug use and trafficking a lease violation
subject to eviction proceedings;
--
To target federal assistance to anti-drug security
measures;
--
To revoke federal housing subsidies from those dealing
in drugs;
--
To involve the private and voluntary sectors in efforts
to rid public housing of drugs and give residents,
especially young people, a stake in their communities
and their futures.
o
In addition, the Office of National Drug Control Policy has
responded to the drug emergency in the District of Columbia:
--
A Metropolitan Area Task Force will be expanded, with
57 additional representatives from federal agencies,
and state and local police from D.C., Maryland and
Virginia.
:
More prisons: The federal Bureau of Prisons will take
custody of 250 inmates from the D.C. jail, and work to
locate land for construction of a new prison.
:
Enforcement: The FBI will provide support to D.C.
police in investigations of drug-related murders.
:
Rehabilitation: The National Institute on Drug Abuse
will provide assistance in local treatment efforts and
will be authorized to establish three new outpatient
clinics by 1990.
--
Prevention: The Department of Education will provide
the District with 50 percent more funds for drug
prevention programs in city schools. The Department of
Labor will work with the business community to increase
job training for youth, and will provide a $100,000
grant to establish employee assistance programs for
drug abuse.
10
WORKING FOR A KINDER, GENTLER AMERICA
CHILD CARE
The changing nature of American society heightens the need
for quality, affordable, accessible child care. President Bush
wants to put choice in the hands of parents so that they -- not
government -- have the power to select the best and safest
environment for their children.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
O
Child care: The President has proposed a child care package,
the "Working Family Child Care Assistance Act of 1989"
which:
:
Provides a new refundable child care tax credit of up
to $1000 per child under four, for low and moderate
income working families.
:
Makes the existing Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit
refundable.
--
Does not discriminate against religious- and family-
based child care.
The President has directed Secretary of Labor Dole to study
the market for liability insurance to determine if liability
issues impair child care.
Head Start: The President has also transmitted legislation
to the Congress which would increase the FY 1990
authorization for Head Start by $250 million; this will pay
for enrollment of up to 95,000 more four-year-olds in the
program.
NATIONAL SERVICE
President Bush has said that "From now on in America, any
definition of a successful life must include serving others."
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
Office of National Service: The President established in the
White House the Office of National Service to lead the
Administration's national service movement. This Office
will identify effective community service models and
encourage others to duplicate them across the country. It
will challenge individuals, schools, businesses, civic and
service groups, religious institutions and other entities to
expand existing community service programs and to create new
ones. The goal of this Office is to make service to others
a central part of every American's life, and in so doing, to
help to ameliorate the urgent ills which fray the fabric of
American society. The Office will recommend changes in
national social and economic policy to promote and encourage
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service, including tort law reform, welfare law reform and
housing, to name a few.
Presidential Proclamation: In signing the proclamation
commemorating National Volunteer Week, April 9-15, the
President challenged every American who cares about the
future of this country to engage in some meaningful form of
community service. He awarded 18 Presidential Awards to
those chosen from nearly 2000 applications -- to winners who
embody the ideals of goodness, compassion and concern for
others.
WELFARE REFORM
The Administration has developed a major new education and
job training program to help recipients of Aid to Families with
Dependent Children move off welfare and become economically self-
sufficient.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
Welfare reform: The Administration issued proposed rules on
April 18 to implement the major provisions of the Family
Support Act of 1988. The proposed rules are designed to:
--
Target job training assistance to those who are most
likely to benefit and who are most at risk for long-
term welfare dependency.
--
Provide maximum level of flexibility to AFDC parents in
obtaining the type of child care that best suits their
needs, consistent with the Administration's legislative
proposals on child care.
JOBS Program: The Administration is proposing to spend $3.3
billion over the next five years implementing the JOBS
program. The changes will pay benefits in the future by
reducing the number of individuals on welfare. It is
estimated that 138,000 families will be able to leave
welfare rolls over the next five years as a result of this
program.
EXPANSION OF MEDICAID
The Administration is committed to health care for the
disadvantaged, calling for full funding of Medicaid, $37.6
billion for FY 1990, an increase of $3.3 billion, or 9.6 percent
over the FY 1989 level.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
o
Expanding Medicaid: On April 18, the Administration
forwarded to Congress proposed legislation to make federal
programs better serve pregnant women, infants and children.
The legislation would expand significantly the population
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Medicaid serves, making Medicaid available to 1.9 million
more women when they became pregnant. The legislation
would:
--
Increase by 374,000 the number of pregnant women and
children eligible for Medicaid.
--
Foster greater participation in Medicaid by eligible
pregnant women by providing services to pregnant women
who are presumed eligible for Medicaid before a formal
eligibility determination is made; and by requiring
States to operate outreach programs in areas of high
infant mortality.
--
Entitle all children under age 6 who are receiving Food
Stamps to Medicaid coverage for immunizations.
Make the Federal match rate for State administration
expenses a uniform 50 percent by gradually reducing
special administrative match rates ranging from 75 to
100 percent. The savings that would result would allow
the legislative eligibility changes proposed by the
President to be implemented within the current
program's spending level.
HOUSING/HOMELESSNESS
President Bush has taken a number of steps to create an
"opportunity society" of jobs, growth, housing and hope for
Americans in need of a helping hand.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
Homelessness: A proposal to provide over $1 billion in
federal resources to help end homelessness and pave the way
to jobs, permanent housing, health care and human dignity.
President Bush's proposal calls for fully funding the
McKinney Homeless Assistance Act and for a new $50 million
matching grant program to promote public/private
partnerships to assist homeless families and the mentally
ill.
Enterprise zones: A call for enactment of enterprise zone
legislation, to give urban and rural areas the opportunity
for jobs and hope for the future. President Bush asked
Congress to enact labor and capital-based incentives to
create jobs and entrepreneurial activity in our most
distressed communities.
Affordable housing: A commitment to making housing more
affordable for low-income families, and to provide
homeownership opportunities to the poor and young families
just starting out. President Bush proposes to assist
109,000 new families in need of low-income housing, and has
pledged to maintain assistance to those families already
being helped. President Bush has also signalled his
commitment to empowering poor residents of public housing to
become homeowners through resident management and ownership
of public housing.
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ETHICS AND CIVIL RIGHTS
High ethical standards and civil rights for all Americans
are central to this Administration, and we will enforce them --
strictly, comprehensively, fairly, and to the letter and spirit
of the law.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
o
Ethics: The President issued an Executive Order creating
the President's Commission on Federal Ethics Law Reform. On
March 9, the Commission filed its report and its
recommendations to the President. Legislation was sent
April 12th to the Congress, and the President issued an
Executive Order announcing ethical principles for the
conduct of executive branch employees. The President's
proposals include:
-- A ban on outside earned income for non-career
Presidential appointees in the executive branch,
including all employees in the immediate White House
Office.
I
Expanded financial disclosure for all three branches of
government.
|
Prohibition of the conversion of political
contributions for personal or office use.
:
A comprehensive review of federal campaign finance
laws, including an assessment of the impact of PACs on
parties, competition and political debate. The
President believes that PAC contributions to candidates
should be eliminated, and he will be consulting with
the Congress on this issue. President Bush is also
opposed to federal funding of congressional campaigns.
:
Deferral of tax liability when an individual is
required by his or her agency to divest assets in order
to avoid conflicts of interest.
--
Strengthened rules against abusing the revolving door
for private gain at the expense of the public trust.
These rules also apply to the legislative branch.
:
A 25 percent pay raise for federal judges was proposed
in separate legislation submitted April 12, while the
ethics reform legislation restricts their acceptance of
honoraria. President Bush believes that honoraria for
Members of Congress should be banned; however, the
President will not formalize that proposal until after
he consults with Congress on that issue and their pay
raise. He will include in that discussion the question
of a pay increase for certain executive branch
positions.
The extension of the Independent Counsel statute to
cover the Congress.
:
The extension of the federal statute that prohibits
employees from taking actions that enhance their own
financial interest to cover legislative and judicial
branch employees.
14
The establishment of an independent ethics office for
the Congress, to be headed by a clearly nonpartisan
official, confirmed by both houses.
--
The application of the existing one-year post-
employment "cooling-off" period for senior executive-
branch employees to the legislative and judicial
branches.
Whistleblower protection: The President supports public
servants who revere the trust placed in them by the American
people. On April 10, the President signed S. 20, the
"Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989." This law will
strengthen the protections and procedural rights available
to those federal employees who report misdeeds and
mismanagement.
--
This new law will enhance the authority of the Office
of Special Counsel, and whistleblowers will also now be
allowed to take their cases to the Merit Systems
Protection Board.
--
The statute alters the legal burdens of proof, making
it easier for employees to be vindicated when they are
wrongfully penalized by their supervisors for
whistleblowing activities.
Civil rights: The Administration has taken a number of
actions to protect the civil rights of all Americans,
including several court actions in key civil rights cases.
--
On March 8, the Department of Justice endorsed the
objectives of the Hate Crimes Bill and voiced no
opposition to the bill's enactment. The Hate Crimes
Bill provides for the collection of data about crimes
motivated by race, religion, ethnicity or sexual
orientation.
--
On March 13, Attorney General Thornburgh announced the
filing of Federal housing discrimination lawsuits
seeking monetary damages and civil penalties under the
expanded enforcement authority of the Fair Housing
Amendments Act of 1988.
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