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Building a Better America, Draft 3, 11/21/89 [OA 01164] [5]
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Building a Better America, Draft 3, 11/21/89 [OA 01164] [5]
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Building a Better America Files
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Building a Better America Files
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Building a Better America, Draft 3, 11/21/89 [5]
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5
Document No. 092078SS
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
11/21/89
DATE:
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY: 11/22/89 4:00 PM
BUILDING A BETTER AMERICA: ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE BUSH
SUBJECT: ADMINISTRATION, SUMMARY AND MAIN DOCUMENT
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
ROGICH
BATES
UNTERMEYER
CARD
ROGERS
CICCONI
WINSTON
DEMAREST
PINKERTON
FITZWATER
PETERSMEYER
GRAY
DELAND
HAGIN
BOSKIN
REMARKS:
Please forward any comments directly to Chriss Winston, Rm. 122,
x2930, no later than 4:00 PM, Wednesday, November 22, with a
copy to my office. Thank you.
Please pay particular attention to the material in brackets.
RESPONSE:
Please see Comments (11/22/89)
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
Grant
Draft three
November
BUILDING A BETTER AMERICA
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION
21,981989 21 PM 4: 35
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 84
months in November. This is the second longest economic
expansion in U.S. history and the longest peacetime
expansion.
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. The benefits of
robust economic growth have been shared by a wide variety of
demographic groups. During this decade, America has created
more new jobs than Japan and the nations of Western Europe
combined.
2
Record income: Real per capita disposable personal income --
personal income after taxes and inflation -- has risen 19
percent during this expansion.
Higher national saving and investment: Partly due to the
discipline of the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings process, the Federal
deficit has declined from 6.3 percent of GNP in fiscal year
1983 to 3.0 percent this fiscal year. The personal saving
rate averaged 5.4 percent over the first three quarters of
1989, well above its recent low of 3.2 percent in 1987.
Inflation under control: Consumer price inflation has
remained under 5 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. In the last twelve months, the CPI has increased
only 4.3 percent and, in the last three months, the index
has risen only 2.4 percent at an annual rate.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
bipentison
Implementing fiscal restraint: In view of the failure of
follow
the Congress to legislate the budget agreement reached last
October
spring, the Administration has implemented a sequester of
funds has under the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings law. This sequester
will effectively restrain federal spending while it is in
in order to
3
force, and will help reach the President's goal of hitting
the Gramm-Rudman targets with no new taxes.
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. Recently, three countries -- Mexico,
the Philippines, and Costa Rica -- have reached agreements
with commercial banks under the Administration's debt plan.
The differences in these agreements appropriately reflect
differing circumstances in the three countries and
illustrate the flexibility of the Administration's approach.
Minimum wage agreement: The Administration and
Congressional leaders reached agreement on a plan, now
signed into law, to raise the minimum wage to $4.25 per hour
and to permit businesses to pay a training wage to young,
entry-level workers. The higher minimum wage will help the
working poor and the training wage will allow businesses to
hire inexperienced workers and give them the start they need
in a working career.
have
Disaster ed assistance: The Administration and Congress are
necessary supplemental
working together to provide adequate funding to assist
victims of Hurricane Hugo and the California earthquake.
This funding will help s a provide the homeless with temporary
4
shelter, will assist uninsured, needy families rebuild their
homes, and will help the state as well as counties and
municipalities to rebuild highways and other public
facilities.
Savings and Loan reform: The President signed the Financial
Institution Reform, Recovery and Enforcement Act of 1989 on
came
grave fiscal
August 9. This legislation comes to grips with the 1 problems
facing our savings and loan industry, and will has 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.
International Trade: The Administration is forcefully
promoting the opening of world markets through bilateral
negotiations and the Uruguay Round of the General Agreement
on Tariffs and Trade. It successfully broke a stalemate in
5
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 Japan to identify and
eliminate structural factors that may impede efficient
patterns of world trade. The approaches being pursued in
these discussions will provide long-term benefits for both
countries. The Administration has also 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. Under the leadership of
Vice President Quayle, the Competitiveness Council announced
"U.S.-92," the American response to EC-92, and delivered a
strategy for rectifying the product liability confusion.
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
macted 11/22/897
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
its comprehensive agricultural proposals for the General
Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. These proposals would
harmonize domestic agricultural programs and reduce
6
distortions to patterns of international production and
trade. In addition, the Administration has formed a task
force to develop a farm bill for 1990.
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.
McClure
7
SEIZING INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEACE
In his Inaugural Address, the President said, "The day of
the dictator is over. The totalitarian era is passing, its old
ideas blown away like leaves from an ancient lifeless tree."
Indeed, this year has seen dramatic and promising changes. 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. The President
is determined to continue moving on a broad front to seize this
unique opportunity to strengthen world peace and the course of
freedom.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
A Resurgence of Democracy: The Administration developed a
strategy to encourage and help sustain the historic
processes taking place, especially in Eastern Europe. Early
in his Administration, the President expressed his hope for
the success of perestroika in the Soviet Union. In April,
the President spoke in Hamtramck, Michigan, and called for
self-determination in Eastern Europe and an end to the
division of the continent. In May, President Bush called
for the Berlin Wall to come down, and set forth his vision
of a Europe "whole and free" during his visit to Mainz,
Germany. Throughout the year, the President has
8
continuously promoted the idea of freedom through his
speeches, two State visits to Europe, and constant contact
with world leaders.
Western Europe: The President proposed new mechanisms for
U.S. consultation and cooperation with the EC Commission and
member states as the European Community heads toward a
single market and closer political cooperation in 1992.
Seeing the resurgence of Western Europe as a triumph of
democratic values and principles, the President has welcomed
its success, confident that a mature U.S.-E.C. partnership
will serve our mutual interests and serve as a beacon for
the East.
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 build Alliance unity and
confidence and define the Alliance's future agenda.
Eastern Europe: As Poland and Hungary have taken
unprecedented steps toward pluralism, democracy, and market
economic policies, the United States has signaled its strong
support every step of the way. The President has also
encouraged more recent movement towards change in East
Germany. The President's strong support for political
pluralism and economic reform in Hungary and Poland was
9
highlighted by his visits to those nations, and by the
international leadership he has exercised in gaining major
international backing for these reforms. The President has
offered a major U.S. package of economic assistance and
trade and investment incentives to assist in the economic
restructuring of Poland and Hungary.
Poland: Following up on the program he announced on April 17
in Hamtramck, Michigan, the President called upon Congress
to declare Poland a beneficiary country under the U.S.
Generalized System of Preferences and to authorize the
Overseas Private Investment Corporation to operate in
Poland. The U.S. proposed a business and economic agreement
that will promote trade, investment and other contacts
between the private sectors of both countries. The
President will ask Congress to approve a $200 million grant
for stabilization purposes, which would be the U.S.
contribution to the $1 billion in Western assistance the
Poles have requested. The President [has sent] to Warsaw a
Presidential Mission, headed by Agriculture Secretary
Yeutter, to discuss with the Polish Government its economic
plans and evaluate its needs. This mission also includes
Secretaries Dole and Mosbacher, and Michael Boskin, Chairman
of the Council of Economic Advisors, along with business and
labor leaders. It will make recommendations to the
President based on their findings and deliberations with
10
experts from the twenty-four nation "Group for Economic
Assistance to Poland and Hungary" as to the most effective
use of the $1 billion stabilization fund. The President has
also asked Congress to provide a $100 million fund to help
capitalize and invigorate the Polish private sector and has
encouraged the World Bank to move ahead with new loans to
help Polish agriculture and industry.
Hungary: The President has asked Congress to authorize a $25
million fund as a source of new capital to invigorate the
Hungarian private sector. The President informed Congress
that Hungary is now receiving 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.
11
The Economic Summit in Paris: Immediately after the
President's historic visit to Poland and Hungary, he
proposed to the other world leaders gathered at the Paris
Economic Summit that the industrial democracies join
together to assist economic and political reform in Hungary
and Poland. This led to creation of the "Group for Economic
Assistance to Poland and Hungary." The industrial
democracies also demonstrated their unity, by dealing with a
variety of issues on the international economic agenda, as
well as the problem of drugs and the environment.
"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.
12
-- 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), a chemical weapons ban 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.
Latin America: The President has established a close,
working relationship with Latin American neighbors to foster
13
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 that Manuel Noriega should leave power and permit
restoration of democratic rule. In early February, Vice
President Quayle travelled to Venezuela and El Salvador,
urging fair elections and warning the Salvadoran military
about human rights violations. In late June, the Vice
President visited El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala and
Honduras, advancing the Administration's policy on Panama
and Nicaragua. He successfully urged Costa Rican President
Oscar Arias to note that fair elections are now impossible
in Nicaragua.
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
Nicaragua's subversion of its neighbors must end, and
that Soviet and Cuban 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
14
levels through the elections in Nicaragua scheduled for
February, 1990.
I
Democracy: The Marxist 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. Aid to the Nicaraguan opposition to help bring
about a free and fair election was approved with
bipartisan Congressional support. On November 14, a
Presidential Commission on Election Monitoring in
Nicaragua was formed, including Senators and
Representatives from both sides of the aisle.
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.
15
A Strong Defense: The President proposed to Congress an
integrated package on strategic modernization that
modernizes the entire strategic triad.
-- 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 give the U.S. momentum in
strategic arms control negotiations.
-- The modernization plan capitalizes on the revolutionary
potential of the B-2, and modernizes the third leg of
the triad, our strategic submarine force. These
programs are all essential 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.
Asian initiatives: Vice President Quayle, in two separate
trips to the Pacific Rim countries and Asian nations, has
played a key role in the formation of policy in a variety of
areas. In his spring trip to Australia, Indonesia,
Singapore and Thailand, he developed the U.S. policy on
16
Cambodia after the pullout of Vietnamese forces; promoted
U.S. trade interests; and monitored human rights and press
freedom issues. This fall, in a trip to South Korea, Japan,
the Philippines, and Malaysia, the Vice President began
delicate base negotiations with the Philippine government.
He also ascertained government and opposition positions on
the U.S. troop reduction proposals for Korea; discussed
serious manned space cooperation, and trade issues with the
Japanese; and advanced U.S.-Cambodian policy with the
Malaysian government.
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.
17
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: recognizing excellence; addressing need;
promoting flexibility and choice; and ensuring accountability.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
The President's Education Summit with Governors was held on
September 27 and 28 in Charlottesville, Virginia, and was
the third time in history and President has called on the
nation's Governors to address a single issue of national
importance. The Summit brought together the President, his
Cabinet and the Governors in working groups and plenary
sessions to focus on issues including choice and
restructuring, teaching, the learning environment,
governance, a competitive workforce and life-long learning,
and postsecondary education.
18
-- The President and the Governors issued a Joint
Statement -- a "Jeffersonian compact" -- committing to
four objectives to provide the groundwork for education
reform in America: national education goals; increased
flexibility in the use of Federal funds; state-by-state
restructuring of the education system; and measurement
of progress. A commitment was made to address the
issues of national goals and increased flexibility in
early 1990.
On June 5, the President announced his intention to form the
President's Education Policy Advisory Committee. The
committee's membership includes representatives from
education, business, labor and the media. The committee
will be chaired by Paul O'Neill, CEO of Alcoa, and will
advise the President directly on issues related to education
policy.
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.
19
-- 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.
20
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.
[[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. ]]
FIGHTING DRUG ABUSE
A new war on drugs in this country began with the
announcement of the President's National Drug Control Strategy.
The President laid out major new priorities in five principal
areas: the criminal justice system; drug treatment; education,
21
community action, and the workplace; international initiatives;
and interdiction efforts. Throughout, the strategy emphasizes
the principle of user accountability.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
In his first televised Address to the Nation, the President
unveiled the National Drug Strategy in September, describing
a coordinated and comprehensive plan of attack under the
leadership of the Director of National Drug Control Policy,
William Bennett.
The National Drug Control Strategy recommends the largest
dollar increase in the history of the drug war -- nearly
$2.2 billion, 39 percent above the FY 1989 level. Elements
of the Strategy include:
-- Expanding the criminal justice system by providing
funds for more police, jails, prosecutors, and courts;
developing alternatives for incarceration such as boot
camps to free up jail and prison space; and requiring
drug testing of prisoners, parolees, and arrestees.
--
Improving drug treatment by holding Federally-funded
treatment programs accountable for their effectiveness
by establishing performance criteria; requiring drug
testing in treatment programs receiving Federal funds;
exploring the expanded use of "civil commitment,"
whereby addicts are sent by the courts to residential
22
treatment facilities; and improving drug treatment
services for pregnant women.
:
Promoting education, community action, and the
workplace through emphasizing community-level
prevention of drug use before it starts; requiring
schools and colleges to implement firm drug-free
policies in order to receive Federal funds; cleaning up
and securing public housing; promoting drug-free
workplace policies in the private sector and
implementing drug-free workplace policies within the
Federal government; and by recommending testing for job
applicants and employers in safety and sensitive
positions.
--
Placing heavier emphasis on international initiatives,
such as the elevation of the drug issue as a foreign
policy priority; the dismantling of drug trafficking
organizations, the targeting of international efforts
closer to production and trafficking sources; and
reducing trafficking profits by, focusing increased
efforts on money laundering.
--
Taking a fresh approach to interdiction efforts by
creating interagency and interdisciplinary teams to
analyze and target smuggling modes, methods, and
routes; targeting key individuals and high-value
shipments; and enhancing border interdiction systems,
operations, and activities.
23
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.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
On May 15, President Bush sent 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
24
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
25
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
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.
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
26
our national resources must have a high priority on our national
agenda.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
Clean Air legislation: On June 12, the President announced
proposals to reduce emissions which cause acid rain, urban
ozone and toxic air pollution. The proposals, the first
major overhaul of the Clean Air Act to be proposed by an
Administration in over a decade, call for a 10 billion ton
reduction in SO2 emissions by the year 2000, a 2 million ton
reduction in NOx, a 40 percent reduction in emission of
volatile organic compounds, and a reduction of 75 to 90
percent in air toxic emissions. These reductions will also
help curb any increase in global warming resulting from
fossil fuel combustion. The proposal also calls for the use
of alternative fuels in one million vehicles by 1997.
Alternative fuels, while reducing ozone precursors, will
also reduce the toxic aromatics which come from conventional
gasoline. The President submitted a comprehensive Clean Air
bill to the Congress on July 21 embodying the proposals
announced on June 12.
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.
27
Clean Coal Technologies: The President proposed $710 million
in FY 1990 for the Clean Coal Technology program.
Clean water and coastlines: On March 10, the Department of
Justice and the EPA implemented a medical waste tracking
program to track medical wastes to ensure proper disposal
and prevent ocean pollution -- 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.
Cleaning up hazardous wastes: On March 10, 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.
[[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
28
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.]]
[[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.
Offshore Oil Drilling: The President postponed lease sales
and offshore oil and gas development in environmentally
sensitive areas off the coasts of California and Florida.
The President set up a task force to examine the issues and
report back to him in January of 1990.
29
[[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's budget proposed $315 million to
pursue an aggressive cleanup schedule of toxic waste sites;
the Administration has opposed Congressional efforts to cut
the Superfund budget to $150 million. On June 14, EPA
Administrator Reilly, following the President's direction,
concluded a Management Review of the Superfund Program. The
agency has decided to add five hundred people to the
enforcement staff to ensure that sites are cleaned up.
Global Climate Issues: Through its position as chairman of
the Response Strategies Working Group of the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the U.S.
has called for initial discussions potentially leading
toward a convention on global climate change. Also, the
President proposed an increase in global environmental
research for FY 1990 of 43 percent, or over $190 million.
In addition, the Clean Air Act initiatives and Clean Coal
Technology Program will play a significant role in
controlling greenhouse gas emissions. The President called
for a worldwide phaseout of ozone-depleting
30
chlorofluorocarbons by the year 2000, if safe substitutes
are available.
Wetlands, National Parks, and Reforestation: The President
is also committed to a national goal of "no net loss of
wetlands" and an interagency task force has been convened to
develop 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
31
system will include advanced weather radar, observation
automation, and a new communications system.
Ban on African Elephant Ivory: On June 5, 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.
Driftnet Fishing Agreements: The Administration successfully
persuaded Japan, Taiwan, and Korea to enter into driftnet
fishing agreements to monitor driftnet practices and enforce
laws prohibiting the taking of U.S. origin salmon.
EXPLORING SPACE
The President has made a commitment to the continued
exploration of space, and has proposed the deployment of Space
Station Freedom, the establishment of a permanent presence on the
Moon, and a manned mission to Mars.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
On April 20, The President demonstrated the importance he
attaches to the development of space exploration by signing
32
an Executive Order establishing the National Space Council.
President Bush named Vice President Quayle Chairman of the
Council, which is charged with bringing "coherence and
continuity and commitment to our efforts to explore, study
and develop space.
-- The President tasked the Council with developing
"concrete recommendations to chart a new and continuing
course to the Moon and Mars and beyond." Under the
leadership of the Vice President, the Council is
currently developing an options package for the
President.
-- The President ensured the adequate funding for space
activities and obtained a 14 percent increase for NASA
programs. The President also secured a 100 percent
increase in the NASA budget for Space Station Freedom.
33
WORKING FOR A KINDER, GENTLER AMERICA
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
The President is committed to bringing basic shelter and
affordable housing within reach of millions of Americans. His
HOPE initiative addresses the full range of housing concerns:
shelter for the homeless, affordable housing for low-income
families, open access to expanded job opportunities, and help for
first-time home buyers.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
o
On November 10, the President unveiled HOPE, a comprehensive
agenda of Homeownership and Opportunity for People
Everywhere. Major elements include:
:
First-time home buyers: The President will ask Congress
to enact legislation allowing first-time buyers to
draw, without penalty, on IRA savings as a downpayment
for their first home.
-- Low-income housing: The President called on Congress to
renew the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit as part of a
package that also includes a cut in the capital gains
tax. He has also called on Congress to create at least
50 Enterprise Zones over the next four years, using
labor and capital-based incentives to create jobs and
entrepreneurial activity in our most distressed
34
communities. In the hardest-hit urban areas, he has
called for an elimination of the capital gains tax
altogether. President Bush also supports housing
vouchers that empower low-income families to choose
where they want to live; and resident ownership and
resident management of low income housing areas.
-- FHA reforms: The Administration has announced major
reforms to ensure that FHA is true to its primary
mission of making housing affordable for low and
moderate income families. The President has asked HUD
Secretary Jack Kemp to convene a Blue Ribbon Commission
to identify barriers to affordable housing, and to make
recommendations on how these barriers can be removed.
-- Homelessness: On November 9, the President signed a
bill that substantially increased funding under the
McKinney Homeless Assistance Act. The President has
requested $50 million for an initiative to reduce
homelessness through public-private partnerships.
Secretary Kemp has been charged with finding new ways
to put a portion of FHA foreclosures into the hands of
non-profit groups that work with housing rehabilitation
to fight inner city poverty.
CHILD CARE
35
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
36
Start appropriation. This will pay for enrollment of up to
95,000 more four-year-olds in the program.
AIDS INITIATIVES
The President has made combatting AIDS a national priority.
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: Through the promotion of wider
availability of experimental and therapeutic drugs such as
AZT, the President has demonstrated his commitment to the
eradication of the HIV virus and 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. ]]
37
O
[[$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. ]]
ADOPTION
The President is committed to promoting adoption, especially
of special needs children.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
O
Legislation: In September, the President sent two
legislative proposals to Congress designed to encourage
adoption of special needs children:
-- The first permits adoptive parents to deduct $3000 from
taxable income for adoption-related expenses.
-- The second reimburses Federal employees who adopt up to
$2000 for expenses.
0
In addition, the President has directed all Federal agencies
to develop plans for supporting and promoting adoption of
special needs children (e.g., flexible leave.)
NATIONAL SERVICE
The President's vision to help overcome the disintegration
of communities and build a better America -- not through a
38
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 replicate what is working;
and third, to discover and encourage new leaders.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
In a series of speeches, 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.
The President announced the formation of a foundation called
the Points of Light Initiative, of which he will serve as
Honorary Chairman, and Gov. Thomas Kean as 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 communities nationwide to join the movement
by forming local "Points of Light Action Groups" composed of
outstanding leaders.
39
--
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
implement 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
private sector resources, of "technology links" like
telephone hotlines, interactive computer programs,
electronic bulletin boards and other mechanisms between
those who wish to serve and those needing service in
the inquirer's own community.
-- The President has named a Presidential Commission to
advise him on the legal structure for the Points of
Light Foundation. The Commission is scheduled to
report to the President on [date].
--
The Foundation will also discover and encourage new
leaders by sponsoring workshops, forums, and symposia
on community service leadership development, and by
40
recognizing new leaders through at least 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.
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.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
worked with the Corgness
the
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.
41
--
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 President is committed to
legislation that would extend civil rights protections to
disabled Americans. This legislation, called the Americans
with Disabilities Act, would represent the most significant
expansion of federal civil rights laws in the past two
decades. The Act passed the Senate on September 7, and has
been awaiting passage in the House since then.
-- 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
42
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.
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:
43
--
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. ]]
Low Income Opportunity Board: To continue progress in the
area of welfare reform, the President reinstated this
welfare policy coordinating unit established under President
Reagan as the Interagency Low Income Opportunity Advisory
Board. The Board enhances interagency coordination of
Executive Branch activities designed to life low-income
Americans up from dependency, and assists States that seek
to demonstrate more effective approaches for using Federal
dollars to serve the low-income population.
44
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.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
Expanding Medicaid: President Bush has taken concrete steps
toward improving health care for at-risk populations and
decreasing infant mortality. This year, he asked Congress
to raise mandatory Medicaid eligibility for pregnant women
and infants to 130 percent of the poverty level. In
addition, he requested an expansion of Medicaid coverage of
immunizations for all children under age 6 who are eligible
for Food Stamps.
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.
45
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
[Campaign Finance Reform: The President's comprehensive
campaign finance reform proposal is designed to lessen, the
It also seeks to
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
46
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.
--
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.
47
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.
# # #
(over)
In November, most of there
pecommended ethics reforms
were enacted by Corgness
in the Government
Fething reform Art of 1989."
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
DATE: 11-27-89
TO: Hally-
FROM:
DAVID M. CARNEY
Special Assistant to the President
and Deputy Director,
Office of Political Affairs
This is My 10Pm w/ my Sorted Comments.
- Is this all we have done.
whatabout all the good appointment?
The Potus has made, Wemen, blacks-
ad other Hishin Qualtud and Woteworth
Appointant or his work / Canada on
Improve Relations- etc.
Re Entor
Document No. 092078SS
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
11/21/89
DATE:
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY: 11/22/89 4:00 PM
BUILDING A BETTER AMERICA: ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE BUSH
SUBJECT: ADMINISTRATION, SUMMARY AND MAIN DOCUMENT
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
ROGICH
BATES
UNTERMEYER
CARD
ROGERS
CICCONI
WINSTON
DEMAREST
PINKERTON
FITZWATER
PETERSMEYER see come
GRAY
DELAND
HAGIN
BOSKIN
REMARKS:
Please forward any comments directly to Chriss Winston, Rm. 122,
x2930, no later than 4:00 PM, Wednesday, November 22, with a
copy to my office. Thank you.
Please pay particular attention to the material in brackets.
RESPONSE:
05 : 1 1210068
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
Carnery
Grant
Draft three
November 21,981989
BUILDING A BETTER AMERICA
21
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION
PM
4:
35
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 84
months in November. This is the second longest economic
expansion in U.S. history and the longest peacetime
expansion.
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. The benefits of
robust economic growth have been shared by a wide variety of
demographic groups. During this decade, America has created
more new jobs than Japan and the nations of Western Europe
combined.
2
Record income: Real per capita disposable personal income --
personal income after taxes and inflation -- has risen 19
percent during this expansion.
Higher national saving and investment: Partly due to the
discipline of the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings process, the Federal
deficit has declined from 6.3 percent of GNP in fiscal year
1983 to 3.0 percent this fiscal year. The personal saving
rate averaged 5.4 percent over the first three quarters of
1989, well above its recent low of 3.2 percent in 1987.
Inflation under control: Consumer price inflation has
remained under 5 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. In the last twelve months, the CPI has increased
has risen only 2.4 percent at an annual rate.
only 4.3 percent and, in the last three months, OldDAtA? the index
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
show mmy
Implementing fiscal restraint: In view of the failure of
the Congress to legislate the budget agreement reached last
spring, the Administration has implemented a sequester of
funds under the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings law. This sequester
will effectively restrain federal spending while it is in
Isthis True?
3
force, and will help reach the President's goal of hitting
the Gramm-Rudman targets with no new taxes.
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. Recently, three countries -- Mexico,
the Philippines, and Costa Rica -- have reached agreements
with commercial banks under the Administration's debt plan.
The differences in these agreements appropriately reflect
differing circumstances in the three countries and
illustrate the flexibility of the Administration's approach.
Minimum wage agreement: The Administration and
Congressional leaders reached agreement on a plan, now
signed into law, to raise the minimum wage to $4.25 per hour
28/20/2020
and to permit businesses to pay a training wage to young,
entry-level workers. The higher minimum wage will help the
working poor and the training wage will allow businesses to
hire inexperienced workers and give them the start they need
in a working career.
Disaster assistance: The Administration and Congress are
working together to provide adequate funding to assist
victims of Hurricane Hugo and the California earthquake.
This funding will help provide the homeless with temporary
sime shelter, sine 74 will
4
assist uninsured, needy families rebuild their
homes, and will help the state as well as counties and
Worst
municipalities to rebuild highways and other public
facilities.
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.
International Trade: The Administration is forcefully
promoting the opening of world markets through bilateral
negotiations and the Uruguay Round of the General Agreement
on Tariffs and Trade. It successfully broke a stalemate in
5
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 Japan to identify and
eliminate structural factors that may impede efficient
patterns of world trade. The approaches being pursued in
these discussions will provide long-term benefits for both
countries. The Administration has also 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. Under the leadership of
Vice President Quayle, the Competitiveness Council announced
"U.S.-92," the American response to EC-92, and delivered a
strategy for rectifying the product liability confusion.
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
its comprehensive agricultural proposals for the General
Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. These proposals would
harmonize domestic agricultural programs and reduce
6
distortions to patterns of international production and
trade. In addition, the Administration has formed a task
force to develop a farm bill for 1990.
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.
7
SEIZING INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEACE
In his Inaugural Address, the President said, "The day of
the dictator is over. The totalitarian era is passing, its old
ideas blown away like leaves from an ancient lifeless tree."
Indeed, this year has seen dramatic and promising changes. 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. The President
is determined to continue moving on a broad front to seize this
unique opportunity to strengthen world peace and the course of
freedom.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
all We done
A Resurgence of Democracy: The Administration developed a
strategy to encourage and help sustain the historic
processes taking place, especially in Eastern Europe. Early
in his Administration, the President expressed his hope for
the success of perestroika in the Soviet Union. In April,
the President spoke in Hamtramck, Michigan, and called for
self-determination in Eastern Europe and an end to the
division of the continent. In May, President Bush called
for the Berlin Wall to come down, and set forth his vision
of a Europe "whole and free" during his visit to Mainz,
Germany. Throughout the year, the President has
Ewone
20/08
smount
8 Winds thank are Galing
promoted the idea of freedom through his
speeches, two State visits to Europe, and constant contact
with world leaders.
Western Europe: The President proposed new mechanisms for
U.S. consultation and cooperation with the EC Commission and
member states as the European Community heads toward a
single market and closer political cooperation in 1992.
Seeing the resurgence of Western Europe as a triumph of
democratic values and principles, the President has welcomed
its success, confident that a mature U.S.-E.C. partnership
will serve our mutual interests and serve as a beacon for
the East.
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 build Alliance unity and
confidence and define the Alliance's future agenda.
Eastern Europe: As Poland and Hungary have taken
unprecedented steps toward pluralism, democracy, and market
economic policies, the United States has signaled its strong
support every step of the way. The President has also
encouraged more recent movement towards change in East
Germany. The President's strong support for political
pluralism and economic reform in Hungary and Poland was
9
highlighted by his visits to those nations, and by the
international leadership he has exercised in gaining major
international backing for these reforms. The President has
offered a major U.S. package of economic assistance and
trade and investment incentives to assist in the economic
restructuring of Poland and Hungary.
Poland: Following up on the program he announced on April 17
in Hamtramck, Michigan, the President called upon Congress
to declare Poland a beneficiary country under the U.S.
Generalized System of Preferences and to authorize the
Overseas Private Investment Corporation to operate in
Poland. The U.S. proposed a business and economic agreement
that will promote trade, investment and other contacts
between the private sectors of both countries. The
President will ask Congress to approve a $200 million grant
for stabilization purposes, which would be the U.S.
contribution to the $1 billion in Western assistance the
Poles have requested. The President [has sent] to Warsaw a
Presidential Mission, headed by Agriculture Secretary
Yeutter, to discuss with the Polish Government its economic
plans and evaluate its needs. This mission also includes
Secretaries Dole and Mosbacher, and Michael Boskin, Chairman
of the Council of Economic Advisors, along with business and
labor leaders. It will make recommendations to the
President based on their findings and deliberations with
10
experts from the twenty-four nation "Group for Economic
Assistance to Poland and Hungary" as to the most effective
use of the $1 billion stabilization fund. The President has
also asked Congress to provide a $100 million fund to help
capitalize and invigorate the Polish private sector and has
encouraged the World Bank to move ahead with new loans to
help Polish agriculture and industry.
Hungary: The President has asked Congress to authorize a $25
million fund as a source of new capital to invigorate the
Hungarian private sector. The President informed Congress
that Hungary is now receiving 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.
11
The Economic Summit in Paris: Immediately after the
President's historic visit to Poland and Hungary, he
proposed to the other world leaders gathered at the Paris
Economic Summit that the industrial democracies join
together to assist economic and political reform in Hungary
and Poland. This led to creation of the "Group for Economic
Assistance to Poland and Hungary." The industrial
democracies also demonstrated their unity, by dealing with a
variety of issues on the international economic agenda, as
well as the problem of drugs and the environment.
"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.
12
-- 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), a chemical weapons ban 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.
Latin America: The President has established a close,
working relationship with Latin American neighbors to foster
13
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 that Manuel Noriega should leave power and permit
restoration of democratic rule. In early February, Vice
President Quayle travelled to Venezuela and El Salvador,
urging fair elections and warning the Salvadoran military
about human rights violations. In late June, the Vice
President visited El Salvador, Costa Rica, Guatemala and
Honduras, advancing the Administration's policy on Panama
and Nicaragua. He successfully urged Costa Rican President
Oscar Arias to note that fair elections are now impossible
in Nicaragua.
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
Nicaragua's subversion of its neighbors must end, and
that Soviet and Cuban 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
14
levels through the elections in Nicaragua scheduled for
February, 1990.
-- Democracy: The Marxist 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. Aid to the Nicaraguan opposition to help bring
about a free and fair election was approved with
bipartisan Congressional support. On November 14, a
Presidential Commission on Election Monitoring in
Nicaragua was formed, including Senators and
Representatives from both sides of the aisle.
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.
Should Not
AsionInity Be
15
A strong Defense: The President proposed to Congress an
integrated package on strategic modernization that
modernizes the entire strategic triad.
-- 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 give the U.S. momentum in
strategic arms control negotiations.
-- The modernization plan capitalizes on the revolutionary
potential of the B-2, and modernizes the third leg of
the triad, our strategic submarine force. These
programs are all essential 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.
Asian initiatives: Vice President Quayle, in two separate
trips to the Pacific Rim countries and Asian nations, has
played a key role in the formation of policy in a variety of
areas. In his spring trip to Australia, Indonesia,
Singapore and Thailand, he developed the U.S. policy on
16
Cambodia after the pullout of Vietnamese forces; promoted
U.S. trade interests; and monitored human rights and press
freedom issues. This fall, in a trip to South Korea, Japan,
the Philippines, and Malaysia, the Vice President began
delicate base negotiations with the Philippine government.
He also ascertained government and opposition positions on
the U.S. troop reduction proposals for Korea; discussed
serious manned space cooperation, and trade issues with the
Japanese; and advanced U.S.-Cambodian policy with the
Malaysian government.
what ot the paris Tal K5
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.
17
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: recognizing excellence; addressing need;
promoting flexibility and choice; and ensuring accountability.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
The President's Education Summit with Governors was held on
September 27 and 28 in Charlottesville, Virginia, and was
the third time in history and President has called on the
nation's Governors to address a single issue of national
importance. The Summit brought together the President, his
Cabinet and the Governors in working groups and plenary
sessions to focus on issues including choice and
restructuring, teaching, the learning environment,
governance, a competitive workforce and life-long learning,
and postsecondary education.
18
--- The President and the Governors issued a Joint
Statement -- a "Jeffersonian compact" -- committing to
four objectives to provide the groundwork for education
reform in America: national education goals; increased
flexibility in the use of Federal funds; state-by-state
restructuring of the education system; and measurement
of progress. A commitment was made to address the
issues of national goals and increased flexibility in
early 1990.
On June 5, the President announced his intention to form the
President's Education Policy Advisory Committee. The
committee's membership includes representatives from
education, business, labor and the media. The committee
will be chaired by Paul O'Neill, CEO of Alcoa, and will
advise the President directly on issues related to education
policy.
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.
19
--
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.
20
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.
[[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. ]]
FIGHTING DRUG ABUSE
A new war on drugs in this country began with the
announcement of the President's National Drug Control Strategy.
The President laid out major new priorities in five principal
areas: the criminal justice system; drug treatment; education,
21
community action, and the workplace; international initiatives;
and interdiction efforts. Throughout, the strategy emphasizes
the principle of user accountability.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
In his first televised Address to the Nation, the President
unveiled the National Drug Strategy in September, describing
a coordinated and comprehensive plan of attack under the
leadership of the Director of National Drug Control Policy,
William Bennett.
The National Drug Control Strategy recommends the largest
dollar increase in the history of the drug war -- nearly
$2.2 billion, 39 percent above the FY 1989 level. Elements
of the Strategy include:
-- Expanding the criminal justice system by providing
funds for more police, jails, prosecutors, and courts;
developing alternatives for incarceration such as boot
camps to free up jail and prison space; and requiring
drug testing of prisoners, parolees, and arrestees.
--
Improving drug treatment by holding Federally-funded
treatment programs accountable for their effectiveness
by establishing performance criteria; requiring drug
testing in treatment programs receiving Federal funds;
exploring the expanded use of "civil commitment,"
whereby addicts are sent by the courts to residential
22
treatment facilities; and improving drug treatment
services for pregnant women.
-- Promoting education, community action, and the
workplace through emphasizing community-level
prevention of drug use before it starts; requiring
schools and colleges to implement firm drug-free
policies in order to receive Federal funds; cleaning up
and securing public housing; promoting drug-free
workplace policies in the private sector and
implementing drug-free workplace policies within the
Federal government; and by recommending testing for job
applicants and employers in safety and sensitive
positions.
-- Placing heavier emphasis on international initiatives,
such as the elevation of the drug issue as a foreign
policy priority; the dismantling of drug trafficking
organizations, the targeting of international efforts
closer to production and trafficking sources; and
reducing trafficking profits by focusing increased
efforts on money laundering.
-- Taking a fresh approach to interdiction efforts by
creating interagency and interdisciplinary teams to
analyze and target smuggling modes, methods, and
routes; targeting key individuals and high-value
shipments; and enhancing border interdiction systems,
operations, and activities.
23
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.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
On May 15, President Bush sent 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
24
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
25
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
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.
THE ENVIRONMENT
Lite Loas L
President Bush, a long-time environmentalist, has taken
strong action to protect the environment. He believes that
environmental protection, conservation, and wise management of
26
our national resources must have a high priority on our national
agenda.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
Clean Air legislation: On June 12, the President announced
proposals to reduce emissions which cause acid rain, urban
ozone and toxic air pollution. The proposals, the first
major overhaul of the Clean Air Act to be proposed by an
Administration in over a decade, call for a 10 billion ton
reduction in SO2 emissions by the year 2000, a 2 million ton
reduction in NOx, a 40 percent reduction in emission of
volatile organic compounds, and a reduction of 75 to 90
percent in air toxic emissions. These reductions will also
help curb any increase in global warming resulting from
fossil fuel combustion. The proposal also calls for the use
of alternative fuels in one million vehicles by 1997.
Alternative fuels, while reducing ozone precursors, will
also reduce the toxic aromatics which come from conventional
gasoline. The President submitted a comprehensive Clean Air
bill to the Congress on July 21 embodying the proposals
announced on June 12.
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.
27
Clean Coal Technologies: The President proposed $710 million
in FY 1990 for the Clean Coal Technology program.
Clean water and coastlines: On March 10, the Department of
Justice and the EPA implemented a medical waste tracking
program to track medical wastes to ensure proper disposal
and prevent ocean pollution -- 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.
Cleaning up hazardous wastes: On March 10, 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.
[[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
28
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.]]
[[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.]]
Offshore Oil Drilling: The President postponed lease sales
and offshore oil and gas development in environmentally
sensitive areas off the coasts of California and Florida.
The President set up a task force to examine the issues and
report back to him in January of 1990.
29
[[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's budget proposed $315 million to
pursue an aggressive cleanup schedule of toxic waste sites;
the Administration has opposed Congressional efforts to cut
the Superfund budget to $150 million. On June 14, EPA
Administrator Reilly, following the President's direction,
concluded a Management Review of the Superfund Program. The
agency has decided to add five hundred people to the
enforcement staff to ensure that sites are cleaned up.
Global Climate Issues: Through its position as chairman of
the Response Strategies Working Group of the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the U.S.
has called for initial discussions potentially leading
toward a convention on global climate change. Also, the
President proposed an increase in global environmental
research for FY 1990 of 43 percent, or over $190 million.
In addition, the Clean Air Act initiatives and Clean Coal
Technology Program will play a significant role in
controlling greenhouse gas emissions. The President called
for a worldwide phaseout of ozone-depleting
30
chlorofluorocarbons by the year 2000, if safe substitutes
are available.
Wetlands, National Parks, and Reforestation: The President
is also committed to a national goal of "no net loss of
wetlands" and an interagency task force has been convened to
develop 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
31
system will include advanced weather radar, observation
automation, and a new communications system.
Ban on African Elephant Ivory: On June 5, 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.
Driftnet Fishing Agreements: The Administration successfully
persuaded Japan, Taiwan, and Korea to enter into driftnet
fishing agreements to monitor driftnet practices and enforce
laws prohibiting the taking of U.S. origin salmon.
EXPLORING SPACE
The President has made a commitment to the continued
exploration of space, and has proposed the deployment of Space
Station Freedom, the establishment of a permanent presence on the
Moon, and a manned mission to Mars.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
On April 20, The President demonstrated the importance he
attaches to the development of space exploration by signing
32
an Executive Order establishing the National Space Council.
President Bush named Vice President Quayle Chairman of the
Council, which is charged with bringing "coherence and
continuity and commitment to our efforts to explore, study
and develop space.
-- The President tasked the Council with developing
"concrete recommendations to chart a new and continuing
course to the Moon and Mars and beyond." Under the
leadership of the Vice President, the Council is
currently developing an options package for the
President.
-- The President ensured the adequate funding for space
activities and obtained a 14 percent increase for NASA
programs. The President also secured a 100 percent
increase in the NASA budget for Space Station Freedom.
33
WORKING FOR A KINDER, GENTLER AMERICA
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
The President is committed to bringing basic shelter and
affordable housing within reach of millions of Americans. His
HOPE initiative addresses the full range of housing concerns:
shelter for the homeless, affordable housing for low-income
families, open access to expanded job opportunities, and help for
first-time home buyers.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
On November 10, the President unveiled HOPE, a comprehensive
agenda of Homeownership and Opportunity for People
Everywhere. Major elements include:
-- First-time home buyers: The President will ask Congress
to enact legislation allowing first-time buyers to
draw, without penalty, on IRA savings as a downpayment
for their first home.
-- Low-income housing: The President called on Congress to
renew the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit as part of a
package that also includes a cut in the capital gains
tax. He has also called on Congress to create at least
50 Enterprise Zones over the next four years, using
labor and capital-based incentives to create jobs and
entrepreneurial activity in our most distressed
34
communities. In the hardest-hit urban areas, he has
called for an elimination of the capital gains tax
altogether. President Bush also supports housing
vouchers that empower low-income families to choose
where they want to live; and resident ownership and
resident management of low income housing areas.
-- FHA reforms: The Administration has announced major
reforms to ensure that FHA is true to its primary
mission of making housing affordable for low and
moderate income families. The President has asked HUD
Secretary Jack Kemp to convene a Blue Ribbon Commission
to identify barriers to affordable housing, and to make
recommendations on how these barriers can be removed.
-- Homelessness: On November 9, the President signed a
bill that substantially increased funding under the
McKinney Homeless Assistance Act. The President has
requested $50 million for an initiative to reduce
homelessness through public-private partnerships.
Secretary Kemp has been charged with finding new ways
to put a portion of FHA foreclosures into the hands of
non-profit groups that work with housing rehabilitation
to fight inner city poverty.
CHILD CARE
35
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
36
Start appropriation. This will pay for enrollment of up to
95,000 more four-year-olds in the program.
AIDS INITIATIVES
The President has made combatting AIDS a national priority.
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: Through the promotion of wider
availability of experimental and therapeutic drugs such as
AZT, the President has demonstrated his commitment to the
eradication of the HIV virus and 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. ]]
37
[[$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. ]]
ADOPTION
The President is committed to promoting adoption, especially
of special needs children.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
0
Legislation: In September, the President sent two
legislative proposals to Congress designed to encourage
adoption of special needs children:
-- The first permits adoptive parents to deduct $3000 from
taxable income for adoption-related expenses.
-- The second reimburses Federal employees who adopt up to
$2000 for expenses.
In addition, the President has directed all Federal agencies
to develop plans for supporting and promoting adoption of
special needs children (e.g., flexible leave.)
NATIONAL SERVICE
The President's vision to help overcome the disintegration
of communities and build a better America -- not through a
38
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 replicate what is working;
and third, to discover and encourage new leaders.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
In a series of speeches, 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.
The President announced the formation of a foundation called
the Points of Light Initiative, of which he will serve as
Honorary Chairman, and Gov. Thomas Kean as 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 communities nationwide to join the movement
by forming local "Points of Light Action Groups" composed of
outstanding leaders.
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--
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
implement 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
private sector resources, of "technology links" like
telephone hotlines, interactive computer programs,
electronic bulletin boards and other mechanisms between
those who wish to serve and those needing service in
the inquirer's own community.
-- The President has named a Presidential Commission to
advise him on the legal structure for the Points of
Light Foundation. The Commission is scheduled to
report to the President on [date].
-- The Foundation will also discover and encourage new
leaders by sponsoring workshops, forums, and symposia
on community service leadership development, and by
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recognizing new leaders through at least 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.
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.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
o
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.
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-- 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 President is committed to
legislation that would extend civil rights protections to
disabled Americans. This legislation, called the Americans
with Disabilities Act, would represent the most significant
expansion of federal civil rights laws in the past two
decades. The Act passed the Senate on September 7, and has
been awaiting passage in the House since then.
-- 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
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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.
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:
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:
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. ]]
Low Income Opportunity Board: To continue progress in the
area of welfare reform, the President reinstated this
welfare policy coordinating unit established under President
Reagan as the Interagency Low Income Opportunity Advisory
Board. The Board enhances interagency coordination of
Executive Branch activities designed to life low-income
Americans up from dependency, and assists States that seek
to demonstrate more effective approaches for using Federal
dollars to serve the low-income population.
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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.
ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
Expanding Medicaid: President Bush has taken concrete steps
toward improving health care for at-risk populations and
decreasing infant mortality. This year, he asked Congress
to raise mandatory Medicaid eligibility for pregnant women
and infants to 130 percent of the poverty level. In
addition, he requested an expansion of Medicaid coverage of
immunizations for all children under age 6 who are eligible
for Food Stamps.
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.
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ACTION BY THE ADMINISTRATION:
[[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
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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.
:
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.
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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. ]]
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