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The original documents are located in Box 7, folder "Republican Legislative Agenda,
October 1975" of the White House Special Files Unit Files at the Gerald R. Ford
Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box 7 of the White House Special Files Unit Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 1, 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR:
JIM CONNOR
FROM:
MAX FRIEDERSDORF m.6.
SUBJECT:
Republican Legislative Agenda
"A Program for Progress" 9/8/75
The Office of Legislative Affairs concurs with subject agenda.
1HL WHITE HOUSE
ACTION MEMORANDUM
WASHINGION
LOC NO.:
Date:
September 25, 1975
Time:
FOR ACTION:
Phil Buchen
Jack Marsh
Jim Cannon
Bill Seidman
Max Friedersdorf
Brent Scowcroft
CC (for information): T Kendallok
Jim Lynn
Frank Zarb
FROM THE STAFF SECRETARY
DUE: Date:
Wednesday, October 1
Time:
12 Noon
SUBJECT:
Republican Legislative Agenda
"A Program for Progress"
9/8/75
ACTION REQUESTED:
For Necessary Action
X
For Your Recommendations
Prepare Agenda and Brief
Draft Reply
X
For Your Comments
Drait Remarks
REMARKS:
We have been requested to prepare a report for the President
on the Republican Legislative Agenda presented to him by the
Republican Leadership. This report should cover:
1) What is being proposed.
2) What are we doing in the areas mentioned in report.
3) What are we not doing that we should be looking into
In other words, any initia tives in the report we should
consider undertaking?
PLEASE ATTACH THIS COPY TO MATERIAL SUBMITTED.
If you have any questions or if you anticipate a
delay in submitting the required moterial, please
Jim Connor
islenhone the Statfs Secretary immediately.
For the President
REPUBLICAN LEGISLATIVE AGENDA:
A PROGRAM FOR PROGRESS
SEPTEMBER 8, 1975
REPUBLICAN LEGISLATIVE AGENDA:
A PROGRAM FOR PROGRESS
The principal mission of government must be to provide its citizens
the freedom to pursue opportunities to create and maintain the type of
life each of them desires. We believe that the vast majority of
Americans prefer:
-- A life in which freedom of thought and action of the individual
as a member of society is preserved and protected. Government's
duty is to defend its people against aggressors from without
and subversive and criminal elements from within.
-- A life lived in an economic climate in which truly competitive
free enterprise predominates. Government's role is to foster
and further free enterprise, while maintaining protection for
society and individuals against unfair advantage taken by
predatory interests.
-- A life in which all people have a full opportunity for success.
Society and government have joint responsibility to make programs
and facilities available to train individuals in marketable
skills, so they may become productive members of the free
enterprise system.
-- A life that promotes and strengthens individual and family
responsibility. Our youth should be given every opportunity
to be exposed to the positive values of our American heritage.
-- A life in which assistance is available to the needy, disabled,
aged and handicapped, but in which able-bodied and able-minded
persons are expected to work and produce.
-2-
Our present society has not yet fully achieved these goals, but
Y
it has proved that it has the ability to do so -- that it offers the
best hope yet devised by man to realize the fulfillment of the American
dream. We intend to hasten it toward its goal by prodding it where it
needs prodding, by adjusting it where it needs adjusting, but all the
while nurturing and protecting it against those who would destroy it.
Government will play an important role, but must refrain from
competing with and from putting strains and pressures on free enterprise
which would damage the entire system and thus lead to eventual failure.
The essence of our American system is choice. Our nation grew
strong under the concept of freedom of our people to choose the course
of government. To choose well, there must be recognizable programs to
be weighed in the balance. As a responsible minority, seeking to
become a nucleus of a majority, we believe our obligation is to move
our government better to serve the people.
There are certain principles which guide a Republic year in and
year out. The policies any government should follow must be dictated
by the particular time in which those guidelines will be operative.
We believe that at this time in our history it is essential the
role of government be diminished, and emphasis placed on the encouragement
1
of individual enterprise.
Congress must come to grips with the realities of federal spending
in a peacetime economy and not allow the federal government to be the
primary cause of inflation. We believe the Congress through the Budget
Committee has the responsibility to curb excessive federal deficit
financing, and work with the Executive Branch to establish national
priorities consistent with federal revenues.
We recognize the fact that the transition from a deficit of
$80 billion to a balance between revenue and expenditures in one year,
although desirable, is not feasible. We would expect to effect it
within three years. During that time, it would be necessary for us.
to forego additional programs to be financed through the public sector
and concentrate on improving, consolidating and in certain cases
eliminating by intensive legislative oversight and amendment existing
ineffective or unnecessary programs
2
We believe a commission should be established to study the operations
of our government departments and agencies and recommend necessary
3
reforms.
In addition, our national transportation system must be
reviewed and necessary legislative remedies enacted which will provide
a balanced and adequate transportation system for the country.
Since its beginning in 1913, the federal income tax system has
grown into a hodgepodge of conflicting regulations, inconsistencies,
and inequities. Our tax system needs immediate reform, the kind of
reform that would require every American to pay a fair share, no more
or no less. We must avoid incentive-destroying tax levels which slow
4
the growth of the economy and prevent the creation of new jobs.
We stand for full employment and believe every American who is
willing and able to work has a right to expect and an obligation to
pursue opportunities to earn a living. Because massive federal make-work
programs offer no hope to the jobless for long-range future security,
we endorse stimulation of free enterprise to generate productive jobs
that will last and pay a decent wage. We favor automatically extended
unemployment benefits coupled with intensive manpower training to tide
workers over periods of unemployment. Much of the added expense for
expanded manpower training can be defrayed by purging the bloated welfare
-4-
rolls of the many ineligibles, by rooting out welfare fraud and by
strengthening work requirements. Moreover, to help channel assistance
where it is really needed, we favor a drastic revision of the run-away
5
food stamp program.
One of the great challenges of our time is our need to become
:
independent in energy production. We believe that energy independence
should be reached mainly through the efforts of private enterprise.
Tax incentives will be needed to assist in prodigious capital formation
to invest in new and expanded facilities. The direct federal role should
be limited to appropriate participation in research and development of
6
new energy sources.
We believe older Americans are especially deserving of attention
and concern. They are faced with loss of income security from inflation
and the spectre of financial disaster from major illnesses. The
greatest contribution Congress can make is to assume leadership in an
all-out effort to reduce inflation to protect the buying power of
retirement dollars. Because of spiraling costs for medical care and
health services, we feel a health insurance program offering protection
7
against the financial ravages of catastrophic illnesses is needed.
The entire area of health care must be examined in order to establish
a national health policy. Federal involvement in health care is extensive,
with fragmented, categorical programs and pervasive regulations and
guidelines. In order to address the complex questions involved in this
issue, we have established a Task Force on Health with the Republican
8
Research Committee.
-5-
We regard it as imperative to preserve the integrity of the Social
Security Trust Fund financed by employee-employer contributions and to
adjust benefit payments to sustain purchasing power in constant dollars.
We will actively support incentives to expand the individual retirement
9
program of every American.
Education of our nation's young people is a state responsibility,
10
a local function and a federal concern.
The mentally and physically handicapped must be afforded opportunities
11
that will allow them to function as useful members of our society.
It is a major responsibility of government to protect the lives
and property of its citizens and insure the domestic tranquility.
Justice must be as concerned with protecting the rights of the victim
of crime as assuring the rights of the accused. At the same time, we
must consider legislation to assure American citizens that they will
not be subject to arbitrary or unjustified surveillance by government
12
agents and to protect citizens' rights-to-privacy.
An estimated 10 million residents of foreign countries now live
illegally in the United States and actively compete with American workers
for available jobs. Existing laws which establish a legal yearly entry
13
rate must be strengthened and strictly enforced.
In this nuclear age, we live in a still-perilous world. Until
disarmament becomes a reality it is necessary that we continue intensive
negotiations. There is no acceptable alternative to an American defense
14
second to none.
-6-
Efficient production of food and fiber is to the credit of the
American farmer and must be encouraged to meet domestic and world needs
15
without undue government interference.
Democrats have controlled both Houses of Congress for 38 of the
past 42 years and must bear the responsibility for failure of the
federal government to meet the needs of America. Loosely written
legislation by Congress has created a maze of contradictory and duplicative
controls. Congress must provide constant oversight of federal operations
and regulatory agencies to insure that legislative intent is carried out
and to determine the need for corrective legislation.
The positions and attitudes reflected here are presented as
guidelines, not as a definitive, all-inclusive program for America.
In fact, we recognize the omission of many areas of concern, not from
a lack of interest, but because our positions have become well-known
through our legislative actions or through our party platforms. We
attempt to point in the directions in which we would intend to lead our
country, were we to become the nucleus of a majority in Congress. We
believe it is incumbent upon Congress to respond in these ways to the
people who must pay for government, and we believe the people must
and will see to it that the Congress does so respond.
1 - Private Enterprise
Our two-hundred year old system of private enterprise, working
within a free and competitive economy, has produced the highest living
standard in the world. This private sector production has been and is
the only creator of our national wealth with government merely redistributing
wealth it has acquired through taxation of private enterprise and individual
citizens. Any broader effort by government to control or direct our
huge trillion-and-a-half dollar economic machine could be a disaster.
Government should not assume the function of the great tinkerer, but
can, and should, help promote prosperity. It can best do this by not
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
hindering the course of commerce, by minimizing regulation, by allowing
the time-tested laws of supply and demand to work with maximum freedom,
by encouraging healthy competition and the enforcement of anti-trust
laws that protect the consumer and fledgling businesses. We believe
that solutions to our dual economic problems of inflation and recession
lie in returning decision-making to the people through the forces of
supply and demand in the marketplace. People themselves can best decide
what to produce, sell, and buy, and at what price levels. No government
agency is as capable of making these decisions as are the people through
the voluntary exchange of goods and services. There is already ample
machinery within the federal government and in the private sector to
protect the consumer from exploitation. We applaud the Ford Administration's
effort to orient existing regulatory and administrative agencies toward
consumer protection. We propose that federal estate and gift tax laws be
revised to encourage private ownership of Small Business.
2- Public Debt
During the past 40 years excessive appropriations by Democrat
controlled Congresses have created massive deficits and forced the
federal government to borrow heavily. This competition with the private
sector has caused interest rates to rise and as a result funds for
private capital investment which are needed to create new jobs have
become scarce and expensive. Massive deficits will rekindle double-
digit inflation and prevent the expansion of business needed to pull
our economy out of the recession. More inflation will further weaken
our economic system, and jeopardize the financial security of all
Americans. Congress must exercise fiscal restraint, consolidate existing
programs, eliminate duplication and waste and thereby reduce the volume
and expense of government.
The Budget Committees of the Congress, in conjunction with the
Executive Branch, must establish spending priorities consistent with
federal revenues with a systematic reduction of the public debt. The
public debt must be restructured. Trust fund surpluses, which by statute
can only be invested in government obligations, tend to distort the real
picture and should not be included in considering the overall public
debt ceiling. The present system of establishing a debt ceiling has
become meaningless. Debt ceiling increases have been manipulated and
irresponsibly used as a vehicle for non-fiscal legislation. We propose
that the limit of the public debt be set concurrently with the adoption
of the Federal Budget.
3- Government Reform
In recent years, an entrenched, burgeoning bureaucracy has
developed in the federal government. Federal agencies have proliferated
and become fragmented, inefficient, duplicative and wasteful.
Regulatory agencies have overstepped their authority in the promulgation
of rules and regulations. They have usurped authorities which
rightfully belong to the States, and ultimately to the people.
Return of power, to the States, as well as strict Congressional
oversight of agency compliance with the letter and spirit of the law,
are urgently needed to preserve personal liberty, improve efficiency,
and eliminate waste. We recommend a bipartisan commission be established
to review present governmental performance, administrative costs,
proliferating federal programs, redefine national goals and recommend
legislative revisions to enhance the capability of government to meet
the challenges of the coming decade. This recommendation emphasizes
the failure of the Democrat Congress to provide effective oversight of
federal operations and regulatory agencies to insure that legislative
intent is carried out and to determine the need to amend loosely written
legislation that has created a maze of contradictory and duplicative
controls, rules and regulations which hamper business and harass the
citizen.
As a majority we would dedicate the next Republican Congress to
legislative oversight -- to redirecting the operations of government
toward efficiency and economy.
4- Tax Reform
The past four decades have seen Democrat Congresses increase
the tax burden on the average working American not only through additional
taxes but with the approval of built-in inequities and loopholes. The
Democrats continue to give lip service to meaningful tax reform but
:
produce only false promises which deceive the American taxpayer.
The only way to cut federal taxes for American wage earners is to reduce
total federal expenditures. "Tax gimmicks" are not a solution but only
offer benefits to special interest groups.
We propose that Congress begin work immediately on revision of
federal taxation:
-- to simplify tax preparation
-- to discourage tax evasion
-- to bring equity to the tax system
-- to provide incentives for economic growth.
5- Welfare Reform
We believe that society has the responsibility to assist those
who cannot provide for themselves. The present welfare system falls
far short of this goal due to mismanagement and abuses. The $5.2 billion
Food Stamp Program has grown 14,203% in the past decade. Recipients
:
have increased from 500,000 in 1965 to nearly 20 million, and under
present regulations an estimated 57 million people are eligible.
Present law has established lax eligibility standards allowing persons
with adequate incomes to participate in the program. This massive
program has bypassed the real intent of Congress to provide help only
for the needy. We call. attention to the fact that the bill for welfare
is mainly borne by the American worker. To meet its responsibility to
the American taxpayer and the truly needy, Congress must take immediate
steps to reform the welfare system. We propose Congressional action:
-- to provide adequate living standards for the truly needy
-- to eliminate ineligible recipients from the welfare rolls
-- to establish effective regulations to prevent future welfare fraud
-- to strengthen and enforce work requirements
-- to provide educational and vocational incentives to allow
recipients to become self-supporting
-- to increase penalties for welfare fraud to discourage abuses
-- to coordinate Federal reforms with state and social welfare agencies
-- to strengthen state and local administrative functions
-- to transfer administration of the Food Stamp Program from the
Department of Agriculture to HEW
-- to tighten eligibility requirements for food stamps.
6- Energy
The key to future economic security and a high standard of living
for all Americans is a comprehensive national policy that will produce
an adequate supply of energy for an expanding economy.
We believe the current lack of direction by the Democrat majority:
in Congress poses grave economic peril for the future. Their single-
minded emphasis on unrealistically regulated prices today, fails to lay
the groundwork necessary for future expanded energy supplies.
Constructive action now by the Congress could help assure our people
and our industries an ample supply of reasonably priced energy for the
years ahead.
-- We propose that all federal regulations, programs and policies
that directly affect energy, be reviewed, and ineffective
programs be eliminated or replaced.
Our energy challenge must essentially be solved by private industry.
We believe that unreasonable regulatory and tax policies have hampered
development and lessened investment in research, plants and equipment
needed for maximum energy production.
-- We propose a windfall profits tax program with a plowback
provision to encourage reinvestment of energy earnings and
eliminate windfall profits.
Energy development has been hampered by excessive and often frivolous
litigation, endless hearings, studies, commissions and reports.
-- We propose that Congress' comprehensive energy package provide
strong legal authority to allow development of natural resources
with full recognition of the need to provide safeguards for the
protection of the environment.
During the period of 1970-1974, our yearly imports of foreign oil
rose from 483 million barrels to 1.2 billion barrels, while during the
same period domestic production fell from 3.5 billion barrels to
3.2 billion barrels per year. Our nation cannot afford continued
dependence on foreign oil.
-- We propose that Congress provide incentives for exploration
and development of more American-owned oil and natural gas.
A full scale effort must be made to develop our oil shale
resources.
Our nation must develop alternative energy sources. Congress should
provide incentives and opportunities to accelerate research, discovery
and delivery of untapped resources. Immediate emphasis should be given
to development of economical solar energy systems for homes and industry.
-- We propose that Congress require that new federal structures,
where practical, be heated and cooled with solar systems.
An essential part of a national energy program must be development
of all available forms of energy.
-- We propose a stepped-up program for coal gasification, geo-thermal
and nuclear power production.
-- A strong program of research and development should be continued
for the fusion process to unlock the unlimited potential of the
Hydrogen atom.
Conservation of energy depends on more efficient utilization by
industry and individuals.
-- We propose that Congress provide practical incentives:
1- for conservation of energy by the public
2- to increase the utilization of waste materials in energy production
3- for production by industry of more energy efficient products.
7- Older Americans
Many older Americans live on relatively fixed, limited incomes
and inflation has hurt them cruelly. The rapidly rising cost of
living is caused in substantial measure by the profligate spending
of the federal government. To protect the purchasing power of the
income and savings of our older people we must stop inflation.
We believe the federal government must meet its commitments to
finding solutions and facilities to help meet their needs. Needed is
"catastrophic" health insurance that will cover the medical needs of
those who experience long, serious illnesses. We support a nutritional
supplement system and a comprehensive program of nutrition education
for needy older citizens. Inadequate housing and transportation must
receive our undivided attention and affirmative action.
8- Health Care
There is an urgent need to review Federal involvement in health
care. Not only government spending, but regulations and guidelines
have had great impact on national health care delivery.
:
Under our present system, we have one of the best health care
delivery programs in the world. There are some gaps that need filling,
to assure our people the quality of services nationwide that we are
capable of providing.
We believe that our nation needs a National Health Policy, which
would balance health systems supply and demand with financing. In
addition there is a need for emphasis on education, environmental
improvement, better housing and nutritional gains, all of which affect
the general health of the American public.
A National Health Policy would determine broad goals and priorities
for medical care, preventive practices, and dispersal of facilities
to be within reach of our people. We believe the present combination
of private and public health care financing can be extended and improved.
The present system suffers from fragmentation, and we believe a National
Health Policy should bring together all vital health functions into a
practical and workable program to provide better health care for all
our citizens.
9- Social Security - Retirement
Controlling inflation is the most important way to insure the
retirement security earned by American workers. Congress must give
top priority to maintaining the integrity of the Social Security Trust
Funds and must revise retirement programs to more nearly meet the needs
:
of older Americans. Adequate funding that will provide benefits in
constant value dollars should be assured from a self-adjusting formula
of contributions by employees and employers. Unlimited outside
earnings should be allowed without benefit penalties.
All Americans deserve the opportunity to provide their own
additional retirement security. The Individual Retirement Account (IRA)
has extended this opportunity to an additional segment of our working
force. We propose that Congress expand this Keogh-type supplemental
retirement plan to make it available to all workers. Our proposal
would provide tax incentives allowing workers to invest voluntarily in
a private retirement fund that would supplement both Social Security
and company pension plans. In addition to providing greater retirement
security this plan will provide investment funds needed to build a
stronger American economy and to aid in capital formation.
10- Education
We insist that Congress review, evaluate and consolidate the more
than 400 federal education programs and assign priorities to those
that are effective. Federal support to reduce financial barriers to
students in post-secondary education and to encourage vocational
education and job training, compensatory education for the disadvantaged,
and special education for the physically and mentally handicapped should
supplement resources provided by state and local programs. Administration
of educational programs is the responsibility of state government and
local institutions, and federal intrusion cannot be allowed.
We favor the development of quality day care services, locally
controlled and administered, with the requirement that the recipients
of these services pay their fair share of the costs according to their
ability.
In the education and training of children there is no substitute
for parental discipline. We believe in the parents' right to make
fundamental decisions regarding the care, development and education
of their children.
11 - -Mentally and Physically Handicapped
Those among us who are handicapped face difficult challenges
every day while trying to cope with a physical environment designed
for the activities of the non-handicapped. We believe that strong
efforts should be made to assist the handicapped to function in our
society -- to have access to education, medical care, economic
security, equal treatment from our institutions, improved transportation
and protection from exploitation.
Federal programs should be reviewed to ensure that all that can
be done is being done to help the handicapped become more fully
integrated into our social and economic life.
LIALD FORD LIBRARY
12-Crime
A fundamental responsibility of government is to protect the
lives and property of its citizens. We believe the thrust of justice
must be to protect the law-abiding citizen against the criminal.
To combat crime:
-- We support the continuance of federal grants to States, cities
and towns to strengthen local law enforcement.
-- We support court system reform to increase efficiency, eliminate
excessive case loads, reverse the present practice of
"turnstyle justice" and keep the criminal off the streets.
-- We support reform of our penal system to correct the failure
of our present policies of punishment and rehabilitation.
We support redoubled efforts against the hard drug traffic to
arrest, prosecute, and convict pushers -- especially those that
prey on young boys and girls.
-- We propose Congress enact mandatory minimum sentences for persons
convicted of federal crimes involving violence, use of firearms,
trafficking in hard drugs and habitual offenses.
Prevention is the long-term solution to crime. Effective crime
prevention depends on strengthening community ties and encouraging
individual participation in community decisions establishing moral and
ethical standards. We recognize, however, that a healthy fear of swift
and sure punishment is not without effectiveness in crime prevention.
13-Illegal Aliens
An estimated 10 million citizens of foreign countries now live
illegally in the United States and actively compete with American
workers for available jobs. Congress must insist on enforcement of
existing laws which establish a legal yearly entry rate, increased
border control and more effective apprehension and deportation of people
living illegally in the United States. Social Security requirements
for all workers must be enforced and participation by illegal aliens
in federally funded welfare programs must be stopped.
14-Defense
The first, and major, responsibility of government is to provide
for the common defense. Recent world events have demonstrated that
until we can safely disarm, we must continue to improve our military
capability to defend the United States and honor our commitments to :
Free World Nations. A strong military capability is essential to the
balance of power on which our safety rests. To be successful in
negotiations with foreign nations we must deal from a position of
strength. Preparedness cannot be a sometime policy. Responsibility
for the common defense, for maintaining our military capability, our
honor and commitments, rests with Congress. We deplore the attitude
that the military budget represents a readily available source of
federal money which can be diverted to other programs without dangerous
consequences. Congress must continue to provide adequate funding to
sustain volunteer manpower levels, equip our forces and conduct vital
research and development.
It is also the imperative responsibility of Congress to eliminate
frills and waste, and to ensure a lean, efficient and mobile military
to meet the challenges of the 1970's.
15-Agriculture
Overregulation by the government must not be allowed to hamper
the most vital and efficient segment of our society -- agriculture.
Production of food and fiber satisfies not only our domestic needs,
but is also the keystone of our export program and our balance of
payments. Agriculture policies should be designed to operate within
the free market system with full recognition of the unique production
and marketing problems faced by farmers and ranchers. In addition,
applicable federal estate and gift tax provisions should be reviewed
and reformed in order to preserve the ability of families to retain
ownership of farm land.
OMB didnot
coner
# 2 Public
Debt
# 4 Tax Reform
# 14 Defense
# 15 agriculture
FRESIDENT
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
OFFICE
UNITED
OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
STATE
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20503
OCT
2 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR: JIM CONNOR
FROM:
JIM JURA
give
SUBJECT:
Republican Legislative Agenda:
"A Program for Progress"
We have general and specific comments on this subject.
Two general suggestions are below and the attached
copy contains comments that address specific issues.
FORD
1. You might suggest that the legislative program
outlined permit greater flexibility to recognize later
LIBRARY
Administration initiatives. At the top of page three,
there is a statement that "
it would be necessary
for us to forego additional programs
" within three
years so as to balance the budget. This sentence may be
too categorical because the GOP leadership might choose
to accept some ideas for initiatives at a later date.
Similarly, the statement in the second paragraph on page
four indicates a belief "that energy independence should
be reached mainly through the efforts of private enter-
prise. " This statement appears to conflict with the
Administration initiative for an Energy Independence
Authority and you might wish to suggest that the statement
be dropped.
2. Statements for two of the programs outlined pose a
dilemma. The "Tax Reform" program (4) refers to the
"the tax burden on the average working American" and
proposes tax revision "to bring equity to the tax system."
The program outlined for "Social Security - Retirement"
(9) urges assurance of "adequate funding that will provide
benefits in constant value dollars
from a self-adjusting
formula of contributions by employees and employers. " Of
course, such a "self-adjusting formula" will almost
certainly impose higher taxes on the worker.
Attachment
REPUBLICAN LEGISLATIVE AGENDA:
A PROGRAM FOR PROGRESS
The principal mission of government must be to provide its citizens
the freedom to pursue opportunities to create and maintain the type of
life each of them desires. We believe that the vast majority of
Americans prefer:
-- A life in which freedom of thought and action of the individual
as a member of society is preserved and protected. Government's
duty is to defend its people against aggressors from without
and subversive and criminal elements from within.
-- A life lived in an economic climate in which truly competitive
free enterprise predominates. Government's role is to foster
and further free enterprise, while maintaining protection for
society and individuals against unfair advantage taken by
predatory monopoly interests.
-- A life in which all people have a full opportunity for success.
Society and government have joint responsibility to make programs
and facilities available to train individuals in marketable
skills, so they may become productive members of the free
enterprise system.
-- A life that promotes and strengthens individual and family
responsibility. Our youth should be given every opportunity
to be exposed to the positive values of our American heritage.
-- A life in which assistance is available to the needy, disabled,
aged and handicapped, but in which able-bodied and able-minded
persons are expected to work and produce.
-2-
Our present society has not yet fully achieved these goals, but
it has proved that it has the ability to do SO -- that it offers the
best hope yet devised by man to realize the fulfillment of the American
dream. We intend to hasten it toward its goal by prodding it where it
needs prodding, by adjusting it where it needs adjusting, but all the
while nurturing and protecting it against those who would destroy it.
Government will play an important role, but must refrain from
competing with and from putting strains and pressures on free enterprise
which would damage. the entire system and thus lead to eventual failure.
The essence of our American system is choice. Our nation grew
strong under the concept of freedom of our people to choose the course
of government. To choose well, there must be recognizable programs to
be weighed in the balance. As a responsible minority, seeking to
become a nucleus of a majority, we believe our obligation is to move
our government better to serve the people.
There are certain principles which guide a Republic year in and
year out. The policies any government should follow must be dictated
by the particular time in which those guidelines will be operative.
We believe that at this time in our history it is essential the
role of government be diminished, and emphasis placed on the encouragement
1
of individual enterprise.
Congress must come to grips with the realities of federal spending
in a peacetime economy and not allow the federal government to be the
primary cause of inflation. We believe the Congress through the Budget
Committee has the responsibility to curb excessive federal deficit
financing, and work with the Executive Branch to establish national
priorities consistent with federal revenues.
-3-
We recognize the fact that the transition from a deficit of
$80 billion to a balance between revenue and expenditures in one year,
although desirable, is not feasible. We would expect to effect it
within three years. During that time, it would be necessary for us
to forego additional programs to be financed through the public sector
and concentrate on improving, consolidating and in certain cases
eliminating by intensive legislative oversight and amendment existing
ineffective or unnecessary programs.
2
We believe a commission should be established to study the operations
?
of our government departments and agencies and recommend necessary
3
reforms.
In addition, our national transportation system must be
reviewed and necessary legislative remedies enacted which will provide
a balanced and adequate transportation system for the country.
Since its beginning in 1913, the federal income tax system has
grown into a hodgepodge of conflicting regulations, inconsistencies,
and inequities. Our tax system needs immediate reform, the kind of
reform that would require every American to pay a fair share, no more
or no less. We must avoid incentive-destroying tax levels which slow
4
the growth of the economy and prevent the creation of new jobs.
We stand for full employment and believe every American who is
willing and able to work has a right to expect and an obligation to
pursue opportunities to earn a living. Because massive federal make-work
programs offer no hope to the jobless for long-range future security,
we endorse stimulation of free enterprise to generate productive jobs
that will last and pay a decent wage. We favor automatically extended
unemployment benefits coupled with intensive manpower training to tide
workers over periods of unemployment. Much of the added expense for
expanded manpower training can be defrayed by purging the bloated welfare
-4-
rolls of the many ineligibles, by rooting out welfare fraud and by
strengthening work requirements. Moreover, to help channel assistance
where it is really needed, we favor a drastic revision of the run-away
5
food stamp program.
One of the great challenges of our time is our need to become
independent in energy production. We believe that energy independence
should be reached mainly through the efforts of private enterprise.
Tax incentives will be needed to assist in prodigious capital formation
to invest in new and expanded facilities. The direct federal role should
be limited to appropriate participation in research and development of
6
new energy sources.
We believe older Americans are especially deserving of attention
and concern. They are faced with loss of income security from inflation
and the spectre of financial disaster from major illnesses. The
greatest contribution Congress can make is to assume leadership in an
all-out effort to reduce inflation to protect the buying power of
retirement dollars. Because of spiraling costs for medical care and
health services, we feel a health insurance program offering protection
7
against the financial ravages of catastrophic illnesses is needed.
The entire area of health care must be examined in order to establish
a national health policy. Federal involvement in health care is extensive,
with fragmented, categorical programs and pervasive regulations and
guidelines. In order to address the complex questions involved in this
issue, we have established a Task Force on Health with the Republican
8
Research Committee.
-5-
We regard it as imperative to preserve the integrity of the Social
Security Trust Fund financed by employee-employer contributions and to
adjust benefit payments to sustain purchasing power in constant dollars.
We will actively support incentives to expand the individual retirement
9
program of every American.
Education of our nation's young people is a state responsibility,
10
a local function and a federal concern.
The mentally and physically handicapped must be afforded opportunities
11
that will allow them to function as useful members of our society.
It is a major responsibility of government to protect the lives
and property of its citizens and insure the domestic tranquility.
GERAID FORD (IBRARY
Justice must be as concerned with protecting the rights of the victim
of crime as assuring the rights of the accused. At the same time, we
I thought
must consider legislation to assure American citizens that they will
we had
He law.
not be subject to arbitrary or unjustified surveillance by government
12
agents and to protect citizens' rights-to-privacy.
An estimated 10 million residents of foreign countries now live
illegally in the United States and actively compete with American workers
for available jobs. Existing laws which establish a legal yearly entry
13
rate must be strengthened and strictly enforced.
In this nuclear age, we live in a still-perilous world. Until
disarmament becomes a reality it is necessary that we continue intensive
negotiations. There is no acceptable alternative to an American defense
14
second to none.
-6-
Efficient production of food and fiber is to the credit of the
American farmer and must be encouraged to meet domestic and world needs
15
without undue government interference.
Democrats have controlled both Houses of Congress for 38 of the
past 42 years and must bear the responsibility for failure of the
federal government to meet the needs of America. Loosely written
legislation by Congress has created a maze of contradictory and duplicative
controls. Congress must provide constant oversight of federal operations
and regulatory agencies to insure that legislative intent is carried out
and to determine the need for corrective legislation.
The positions and attitudes reflected here are presented as
guidelines, not as a definitive, all-inclusive program for America.
In fact, we recognize the omission of many areas of concern, not from
a lack of interest, but because our positions have become well-known
through our legislative actions or through our party platforms. We
attempt to point in the directions in which we would intend to lead our
country, were we to become the nucleus of a majority in Congress. We
believe it is incumbent upon Congress to respond in these ways to the
people who must pay for government, and we believe the people must
and will see to it that the Congress does so respond.
1 - Private Enterprise
Our two-hundred year old system of private enterprise, working
within a free and competitive economy, has produced the highest living
standard in the world. This private sector production has been and is
the only creator of our national wealth with government merely redistributing
wealth it has acquired through taxation of private enterprise and individual
citizens. Any broader effort by government to control or direct our
huge trillion-and-a-half dollar economic machine could be a disaster.
Government should not assume the function of the great tinkerer, but
can, and should, help promote prosperity. It can best do this by not
hindering the course of commerce, by minimizing regulation, by allowing
the time-tested laws of supply and demand to work with maximum freedom,
Antitnest
by encouraging healthy competition and the enforcement of anti-trust
should
protut
laws that protect the consumer and fledgling businesses. We believe
competition
that solutions to our dual economic problems of inflation and recession
competitors
lie in returning decision-making to the people through the forces of
supply and demand in the marketplace. People themselves can best decide
what to produce, sell, and buy, and at what price levels. No government
agency is as capable of making these decisions as are the people through
the voluntary exchange of goods and services. There is already ample
machinery within the federal government and in the private sector to
protect the consumer from exploitation. We applaud the Ford Administration's
effort to orient existing regulatory and administrative agencies toward
consumer protection. We propose that federal estate and gift tax laws be
revised to encourage private ownership of Small Business.
I don't think this is a good idea.
3- Government Reform
In recent years, an entrenched, burgeoning bureaucracy has
developed in the federal government. Federal agencies have proliferated
and become fragmented, inefficient, duplicative and wasteful.
Regulatory agencies have overstepped their authority in the promulgation
of rules and regulations. They have usurped authorities which
rightfully belong to the States, and ultimately to the people.
Return of power, to the States, as well as strict Congressional
oversight of agency compliance with the letter and spirit of the law,
are urgently needed to preserve personal liberty, improve efficiency,
and eliminate waste. We recommend a bipartisan commission be established
to review present governmental performance, administrative costs,
proliferating federal programs, redefine national goals and recommend
legislative revisions to enhance the capability of government to meet
the challenges of the coming decade. This recommendation emphasizes
the failure of the Democrat Congress to provide effective oversight of
federal operations and regulatory agencies to insure that legislative
intent is carried out and to determine the need to amend loosely written
legislation that has created a maze of contradictory and duplicative
controls, rules and regulations which hamper business and harass the
citizen.
As a majority we would dedicate the next Republican Congress to
legislative oversight -- to redirecting the operations of government
toward efficiency and economy.
October 1, 1975
Republican Legislative Program
# 5
Title Welfare Reform
Proposal
"
Congress must take immediate steps to reform the
welfare system. "
FORD LIBRAET
What we are doing
HEW is working closely with the States in its quality control
program to improve State and local administration to find,
eliminate, and prevent errors in payments and eligibility
determination. The recently enacted Title IV-D program
under the Social Security Act will aid in obtaining child
support from those legally liable for it and thereby reduce
welfare costs.
In response to the increase in Federal reimbursements for
State Administrative costs from 62 1/2 percent of some to
50 percent of all mandated under P.L. 93-347, USDA has recently
implemented effectiveness and efficiency regulations which
require States to maintain restricted tolerance levels for
eligibility errors.
We have recommended legislation to amend the Food Stamp Act
to provide an enforceable remedy against program violations.
The proposed legislation would also require States to correct
procedural errors, and, prescribe criminal action in U.S.
District court for serious program offenses. USDA has
submitted legislation in response to Senate Resolution 58
which, among other things, would tighten State accountability
and increase penalties for fraud.
October 1, 1975
-2-
USDA in response to Senate Resolution 58 has proposed
legislation to amend the Food Stamp list to:
- clarify that illegal and temporarily present aliens
are not eligible for Food Stamp participation;
- delete Section 3 (e) and eliminate addicts and
alcoholics in the definition of eligibility due
to difficulties in administering the Food Stamp
program in an institutionalized setting; and,
- amend current law to make the tax dependency
prohibition currently in appropriations language
a permanent part of the Food Stamp Act.
Transfer Food Stamps to HEW has been discussed in recent
Food Stamp reform proposals (i.e. H.R. 8145, S-1193. While
there are apparently some difficulties contemplated in such
a transfer, a Domestic Council task force is considering a
comprehensive reform of the program.
The Administration has proposed legislation to improve the
child support provisions of current law and make consistent
the AFDC matching rate for all States. The Allied Services
bill has also been proposed to enable States to better
coordinate and rationalize the delivery of services to
their citizens.
Republican Legislative Program
# 7 - Title: Older Americans
Proposal
We believe the federal government must meet its commit-
ments to finding solutions and facilities to help meet their
needs. Needed is "catastrophic" health insurance that will
cover the medical needs of those who experience long, serious
illnesses.
What we are doing
The Administration has proposed separate limits of $750
in Medicare's Hospital Insurance and Supplementary Medical
Insurance programs, as part of an increased cost-sharing to
reduce unnecessary utilization of health services.
Items for Consideration as Initiatives
-- limit physician fees and reimbursements to
hospitals to amounts approved by States, not
to exceed 5% of the previous year's level.
October 1, 1975
Republican Legislative Program
# 7
Title Older Americans
Proposal
"We support a nutritional supplement system and a comprehen-
sive program of nutrition education for needy older citizens."
What we are doing
At present, the Federal government supports a wide array of
programs providing foodstuffs, meals in a congregate setting,
"meals on wheels", consumer education, and needed ancillary
services to our older citizens. Funds are made available
to the States via: Food Stamps and the Surplus Commodities
programs of the Department of Agriculture; as well as the
Department of Health, Education, and Welfare administered
Title XX (Social Security Act), Nutrition Program for the
Elderly, Grants for State and Community Programs for the
Aging, Model Projects, and other programs provided by
the Older Americans Act.
Republican Legislative Program
#
8 - Title: Health Care
Proposal
There is an urgent need to review Federal involvement
in health care. Not only government spending, but regula-
tions and guidelines have had great impact on national health
care delivery.
Under our present system, we have one of the best health
care delivery programs in the world. There are some gaps that
need filling, to assure our people the quality of services
nationwide that we are capable of providing.
We believe that our nation needs a National Health Policy,
which would balance health systems supply and demand with
financing. In addition there is a need for emphasis on edu-.
cation, environmental improvement, better housing and
nutritional gains, all of which affect the general health
of the American public.
A National Health Policy would determine broad goals and
priorities for medical care, preventive practices, and dis-
persal of facilities to be within reach of our people. We
believe the present combination of private and public health
care financing can be extended and improved. The present
system suffers from fragmentation, and we believe a National
Health Policy should bring together all vital health functions
into a practical and workable program to provide better health
care for all our citizens.
What we are doing
The Domestic Council is conducting hearings across the
Nation on health and social program needs, alternatives, and
priorities. In the process of developing the President's
1977 Budget, these program and policy issues will be reviewed.
2
Items for Consideration as Initiatives
-- a study by the proposed Task Force of the
relationship between traditional health
programs and spending on health status; and
-- an analysis by the proposed Task Force of
the appropriate Federal role in health in
terms of financing, program consolidation,
resource development, planning, and regu-
lations.
October 1, 1975
Republican Legislative Program
#
9
Title Social Security-Retirement
Proposal
Social Security: "Congress must give top priority to
maintaining the integrity of the Social Security
Trust Funds
"
Retirement Security: The Individual Retirement Account
(IRA) has extended this opportunity (additional
retirement security) to an additional segment of
our working force.
What we are doing
Social Security: The Domestic Council is leading a compre-
hensive study of' Social Security financing, including the
tax rate and tax base, as well as structural changes in
the program. The Administration does not believe removal
of the retirement test, at a multi-billion cost, is wise
at this time until the Congress has had a chance to consider
the forthcoming Administration proposals on Social Security
financing and program changes.
Retirement Security: The Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation
(PBGC) under Title IV of the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act (ERISA) provides advice and assistance to
individuals on the economic desirability of establishing
individual retirement accounts. The administration originally
proposed the extension of IRA's to all workers. This was
rejected by the Congress. A serious concern if this proposal
were renewed is the revenue loss.
Republican Legislative Program
#
10
Title Education
Proposal
"Congress review, evaluate and consolidate the more than 400
Federal education programs and assign priorities to those that
are effective. Federal support to reduce financial barriers
to students in postsecondary education and to encourage vocational
education and job training, compensatory education for the dis-
advantaged and special education for the physically and mentally
handicapped should supplement resources provided by State and
local programs."
What we are doing
The Education Amendments of 1974 provided for the consolidation
of several categorical grant programs into two broad funding
areas with less strings attached to the funds. In addition, the
FY 1976 President's Budget requested $1.9 billion for the educa-
tion of the disadvantaged; providing an average of nearly $300 per
eligible child. Finally, continued emphasis is being placed upon
the targeting of student aid to needy students.
The Administration's efforts in the area of day care as
administered by the Office of Child Development are to assist in
the formulation of policies and the development of performance
standards and licensing requirement. Further, the office provides
technical assistance to States and localities, initiates research
and demonstration projects in the area of day care.
Items for Consideration as Initiatives
The Administration will soon submit a higher education legislative
proposal to the Congress that will emphasize the further targeting
of aid to needy students.
October 1, 1975
Republican Legislative Program
# 10
Title Education
Proposal
"We favor the development of quality day care services
"
FORD is LIBRARY GERALD
What we are doing
The recently enacted Title XX social services program under
the Social Security Act requires adherence to stringent day
care standards as a condition of receiving Federal social
services day funding. Under Title XX, HEW pays 75% of
the cost of day care services for needy persons.
The Administration has recently proposed legislation to
amend Title XX of the Social Security Act to encourage
the States to improve day care services and which would
at the time, prevent the termination of needed services
that might result under certain of the more severe punitive
provisions existing under Title XX.
=
October 1, 1975
Republican Legislative Program
#
11
Title Mentally and Physically Handicapped
Proposal
"We believe that strong efforts should be made to assist the
handicapped to function in our society--to have access to
education, medical care, economic security, equal treatment
from our institutions, improved transportation and protection
from exploitation."
What we are doing
1) President has decided to call a White House Conference on
Handicapped Individuals in December 1976 to develop
recommendations and stimulate a national assessment of
problems and solutions to such problems facing individuals
with handicaps. The Congressional Appropriations Committees
have recently approved the use of funds to commence planning.
2) The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program provides
an income floor for aged, blind, and disabled individuals
with funds made available for vocational rehabilitation
via Disability Insurance and SSI set-a-sides.
3) The Urban Institute estimates that $21.5 billion was
dedicated to assist the severely disabled in FY 1973.
4) Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
(P.L. 93-112) provide for affirmative action in employing
the handicapped under Federal contracts, as well as,
non-discrimination under Federal grants.
12-Crime
A fundamental responsibility of government is to protect the
lives and property of its citizens. We believe the thrust of justice
must be to protect the law-abiding citizen against the criminal.
Need to
To combat crime:
that Reaffirm this
-- We support the continuance of federal grants to States, cities
mostly
and towns to strengthen local law enforcement.
a is state
We support court system reform to increase efficiency, eliminate
excessive case loads, reverse the present practice of
"turnstyle justice" and keep the criminal off the streets.
-- We support reform of our penal system to correct the failure
of our present policies of punishment and rehabilitation.
2
We support redoubled forts against the hard drug traffic to
arrest, prosecute, and convict pushers -- especially those that
prey on young boys and girls.
-- We propose Congress enact mandatory minimum sentences for persons
convicted of federal crimes involving violence, use of firearms,
trafficking in hard drugs and habitual offenses.
Prevention is the long-term solution to crime. Effective crime
prevention depends on strengthening community ties and encouraging
individual participation in community decisions establishing moral and
ethical standards. We recognize, however, that a healthy fear of swift
and sure punishment is not without effectiveness in crime prevention.
October 1, 1975
Republican Legislative Program
#
13
Title
Illegal Aliens
Proposal
"Social Security requirements for all workers must be
enforced and participation by illegal aliens in Federally
funded welfare programs must be stopped.
What we are doing
Social security requirements on workers are being enforced,
and the quality control effort in AFDC and the undetermin-
ation effort in SSI are designed to weed out all ineligibles,
including illegal aliens. The USDA response to Senate
Resolution 58 contains administrative recommendations which
would clarify that illegal and temporarily present aliens
all not eligible for Food Stamp participation. The Administra-
tion also supports H.R. 982, which would assess financial
penalties on domestic employers who employ illegal aliens.
HEW is working closely with the States in its quality control
program to detect errors, especially the inclusion of
ineligible persons on the rolls so that they may be removed
as quickly as possible, and to improve State procedures in
order to sift ineligible applicants from being approved
for welfare assistance.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 3, 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR:
JIM CONNOR
THROUGH:
PHIL BUCHEN P.W.B.
FROM:
KEN LAZARUS
SUBJECT:
Republican Legislative Agenda:
"A Program for Progress"
We have made a cursory review of the program submitted by
the Republican Congressional leadership and do not perceive
any substantial initiatives which merit consideration by the
President. However, it might be appropriate to request an
OMB analysis of the agenda for our further review.
FORD LIBRARY
THE WHITE HOUSE
ACTION MEMORANDUM
WASHINGTON
LOG NO.:
Date:
September 25, 1975
Time:
FOR ACTION:
CC (for information):
Phil Buchen
Jack Marsh
Jim Cannon
Bill Seidman
Max Friedersdorf
Brent Scowcroft
Jim Lynn
Frank Zarb
FROM THE STAFF SECRETARY
DUE: Date:
Wednesday, October 1
Time:
12 Noon
SUBJECT:
Republican Legislative Agenda
CORD
"A Program for Progress"
9/8/75
LIBRARY
ACTION REQUESTED:
For Necessary Action
X
For Your Recommendations
Prepare Agenda and Brief
Draft Reply
X
For Your Comments
Draft Remarks
REMARKS:
We have been requested to prepare a report for the President
on the Republican Legislative Agenda presented to him by the
Republican Leadership. This report should cover:
1) What is being proposed.
2) What are we doing in the areas mentioned in report.
3) What are we not doing that we should be looking into
In other words, any initia tives in the report we should
consider undertaking?
PLEASE ATTACH THIS COPY TO MATERIAL SUBMITTED.
If you have any questions or if you anticipate a
delay in submitting the required material, please
Jim Connor
telephone the Staff Secretary immediately.
For the President
6470
MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 6, 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR:
JIM CONNORS
FROM:
BRENT SCOWCROFT
SUBJECT:
Republican Legislative Agenda
The NSC Staff has reviewed the Republican Legislative Agenda "A
Program for Progress. It
We are pleased to see the agenda's emphasis on maintaining a strong
U.S. defense capability and its deploring of existing attitudes that
regard the defense budget as a ready source of funds for domestic
programs. This is an important theme, one which the President
and Administration spokesmen have reiterated frequently in the
past months. While the Agenda refers to disarmament as a vague
future hope, it unfortunately does not mention the many constructive
Administration arms control initiatives.
With the exception of the one section on the Defense budget (14), the
Agenda makes no mention of the world leadership role of the United
States and the Administration's conduct of a global foreign policy
seeking international stability and progress. There is no mention
of the Administration's efforts to strengthen our traditional ties and
alliances with the industrialized democracies, the Atlantic community
and Japan, as well as our new dialogue within the Western Hemisphere,
our efforts to reduce tensions with our adversaries, and our work to
contain regional conflicts in such critical areas as the Middle East and
Korea. The Agenda also contains no description of the substantial
initiatives undertaken by this Administration in the international
economic, energy, and food areas and such specialized initiatives
as our efforts to achieve cooperation in the proliferation of nuclear
energy. We believe that the very positive proposals for a constructive
-2-
relationship between the developed and developing nations contained in
Secretary Kissinger's September 1 speech to the UN Special Session
warrant an entire section in any future versions of such an Agenda.
We would be happy to work with you in developing such material if
there is an opportunity to make additions.
With regard to the section on illegal aliens (13), which is essentially a
domestic law enforcement issue, we would raise a note of caution that
implementation of such programs should be handled in a way that avoids
an undue adverse impact on our relations with other countries, particularly
Mexico.
for Staffing
B
101 WHITE HOUSE
ACTION MEMORANDUM
WASHINGTON
LOG NO.:
NSC #6470
Date:
September 25, 1975
Time:
FOR ACTION:
CC (for information):
Phil Buchen
Jack Marsh
Jim Cannon
Bill Seidman
Max Friedersdorf
Brent Scowcroft
Jim Lynn
Frank Zarb
FROM THE STAFF SECRETARY
DUE: Date:
Wednesday, October 1
Time:
12 Noon
SUBJECT:
Republican Legislative Agenda
"A Program for Progress"
9/8/75
ACTION REQUESTED:
X
For Necessary Action
For Your Recommendations
Prepare Agenda and Brief
Draft Reply
X
For Your Comments
Draft Remarks
REMARKS:
We have been requested to prepare a report for the President
on the Republican Legislative Agenda presented to him by the
Republican Leadership. This report should cover:
1) What is being proposed.
2) What are we doing in the areas mentioned in report.
3) What are we not doing that we should be looking into
In other words, any initia tives in the report we should
consider undertaking?
PLEASE ATTACH THIS COPY TO MATERIAL SUBMITTED.
If you have any questions or if you anticipate a
Jim Connor
delay in submitting the required moterial, please
telephone the SeE Secretary immediately.
For the President
FEDERAL
ENERGY
FEDERAL ENERGY ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20461
ADAM
ADMINISTRATION
October 10, 1975
OFFICE OF THE ADMINISTRATOR
MEMORANDUM FOR JIM CONNOR
FROM:
FRANK G. ZARB
SUBJECT:
COMMENTS ON REPUBLICAN LEGISLATIVE AGENDA
I have reviewed the Republican Legislative Agenda ("A
Program for Progress") and have the following observations
related to its energy proposals:
A key principle of the agenda is the need to
forego additional Federal programs financed
through the public sector. Further, it
stresses that the direct Federal role in
Jun to
energy should be limited to research and
development. These provisions appear to
be in conflict with the proposed Energy
Independence Authority.
neckurdal be
The agenda suggests that a full-scale effort
be made to develop oil shale, but does not
To getter
address how to do this without Federal
financial support.
nytt aans.
FORD
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
TORD
October 7, 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR JIM CONNOR
FROM:
L. WILLIAM SEIDMAN
fw3
SUBJECT:
Republican Legislative Agenda: A Program for
Progress
The thrust of the economic proposals outlined in the "Repub-
lican Legislative Agenda: A Program for Progress" mirror the
Administration's basic economic policies including:
-- Reliance on competition in the private sector as the
source of dynamic economic growth
-- Rejection of appeals for a governmentally controlled
or planned economy and attempts to fine tune the economy
-- Fiscal restraint while reducing governmental duplication
and waste.
-- Tax reform which simplifies the tax system while providing
equity and incentives for economic growth.
The economic portions of the paper are a useful statement of
general principles. They do not primarily offer specific
programmatic suggestions.
However, the paper does propose four economic related initia-
tives:
(1) Revision of federal estate and gift tax laws to encourage
private ownership of small businesses.
(2) Establishing the limit of the public debt concurrently
with adoption of the Federal Budget.
(3) Expansion of the Individual Retirement Account (IRA) plan
to make it available to all workers. The IRA was origi-
nally a Treasury initiative and its expansion merits care-
ful consideration.
I am asking the Department of the Treasury to prepare
papers on these three issues for consideration by the
Economic Policy Board.
2
(4) Creation of a bipartisan Commission to review present
governmental performance, administrative costs, pro-
liferating federal programs and to redefine national
goals.
Establishment of such a Commission might be useful in
connection with the President's spending restraint ini-
tiative. Restructuring government programs and combining
them as opposed to merely reducing the size of existing
programs is a useful approach to reducing federal expen-
ditures and a bipartisan Commission might make a signi-
ficant contribution in this effort.
750344
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
October 29, 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR:
JIM CONNOR
FROM:
SUBJECT:
Republican Jun Legislative Agenda
JIM CANNON
You asked for our comments on the "Program for Progress"
suggested in the Congressional Republican's Legislative
Agenda.
In essence, the program presented encompasses general
statements of principles on 15 areas. They are generally
positive statements without many specifics. In almost all
cases, they reflect Administration policy in a general
sense.
The issues raised in this paper are under examination and
will result in specific recommendations for the President's
consideration. As we proceed with each of these issues
we will be sure to identify clearly to the President the
position or philosophy recommended in the "Program for
Progress."
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
November 4, 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR:
JIM CANNON
FROM:
JIM CONNOR
SUBJECT:
Republican Legislative Agenda
The response I received today on the Republican Legislative
Agenda is not satisfactory.
We are already several weeks late on this item. The extensive
comments of OMB, NSC, EPB and ERC, as well as other staff
members, have been received but today the only thing we have
gotten from Domestic Council are three brief paragraphs that
say we will look at it.
The President has requested a full review of this document and
FORD & LIBRARY
I think it is important that Domestic Council contribute to such
review. I intend to send the complete package to the President
by the end of the week and I hope I can have your full comments
by then.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
November 11, 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR:
JIM CONNOR
FROM:
JIM CANNON
SUBJECT:
Republican Legislative Agenda
You asked for a review of the Republican Legislative
Agenda. As I mentioned in my earlier memo of October 29,
the agenda encompasses general policy statements without
many specifics. These are in general reflective of the
Administration's position in regard to each item.
Given the fact that you have solicited OMB, EPA, NSC,
and ERC comments, you have the fiscal, economic, national
security, and energy perspectives on these agenda items.
The following, therefore, reflect primarily a "domestic
policy" perspective on the items in the agenda.
AGENDA ITEM
FORD & 076830 LIBRARY
1. Private Enterprise
"We believe that at this time in our history it is
essential the role of government be diminished and
Seedware
emphasis placed on encouragement of individual
comment
enterprise."
OMB
Comment
This is a major and pervasive theme of the President's
current policy reflected in almost every policy
initiative. These include regulatory reform and
the $28 billion budget reduction and tax reform
package.
2. Public Debt
"We recognize the fact that the transition from a
Seedman
deficit of $80 billion to a balance between revenue
comment
-2-
and expenditures in one year, although desirable, is
not feasible. We would expect to effect it within
three years "
Comment
This is supportive of the President's position.
They place emphasis on consolidation, and this is
currently a major thrust of the program initiatives
being developed by the Domestic Council. We are
particularly focusing on approaches which will give
greater flexibility to state and local government and
reduce federal red tape.
3.
Government Reform
"We believe a commission should be established to
study the operations of our government departments
Seedment
and agencies and recommend necessary reform. "
commen
Comment
OMB
This is an interesting concept which has been
considered as a possible element of the State of the
Union message. At this point we have held back on
it because we believe that "study commissions" can
be viewed as a "non-leadership" approach to avoiding
issues. A sub-head to this item was a comment on a
need for a national transportation policy. This
has been the subject of some attention. Secretary
Coleman has surfaced one version of such a plan.
4.
Tax Reform
"We propose that Congress begin work immediately on
a revision of federal taxation to simplify tax
preparation, to discourage tax evasion, to bring
equity to the tax system and to provide incentives
FORD
for economic growth.' "
Comment
LIBRARY
These principles are solid ones which coincide with
the general emphasis of the President's proposal.
5.
Welfare Reform
The Agenda presents a detailed description of the
Food Stamp reform proposal in the Michel-Buckley Bill.
comments
-3-
Comment
The President's bill reflects almost entirely the
recommendations in this package.
6. Energy
"The key to future economic security and a high
see
standard of living for all Americans is a
comprehensive national policy that will produce
zarbsmints
an adequate supply of energy for an expanding
economy.
OMB
Comment
This is reflective in general of the Administration's
approach. It does not endorse the Energy Independence
Authority nor does it reflect a belief that conservation
will require higher prices.
7.
Older Americans
"To protect the purchasing power of the income
savings of our older people, we must stop inflation.
OMB
We believe the Federal government must meet its
comments
commitments in finding solutions and facilities to
help meet their needs. Needed is catastrophic
medical insurance that will cover the medical needs
of those who experience long illnesses. We support
a nutritional supplement system and a comprehensive
program of nutrition education for needy older
citizens. Inadequate housing and transportation
must receive our undivided attention and affirmative
FORD LIBRARY
action.
Comment
The President's economic program is designed to
achieve economic recovery without overly stimulating
inflation. The Domestic Council is currently working
on various health insurance proposals for the
President to review later this fall. Additionally,
a comprehensive review of the needs of the elderly
and of the impact of existing Federal programs on
the elderly is underway.
-4-
8. Health Care
"There is an urgent need to review Federal
involvement in health care. Not only government
spending but also regulations and guidelines have
had great impact on national health care delivery.
"
comment
Comment
This is being reviewed in connection with the
Domestic Council's work related to next year's State
of the Union and legislative program.
9.
Social Security--Retirement
"Congress must give top priority to maintaining the
integrity of Social Security trust funds and must
Sudman
revise retirement programs to more nearly meet the
comments
needs of older Americans. We propose that Congress
expand Keogh-type supplement retirement plan to
make it available to all workers. Our proposal would
provide tax incentives to allow workers to invest
voluntarily in a private retirement fund that would
supplement both Social Security and company pension
plans.
"
Comment
At the President's direction, the Domestic Council
is studying the short term and long term financing
problems of Social Security and is developing various
proposals to meet such problems. An initial paper on
the short term financing problems was presented to
FORD
the Economic Policy Board last Thursday. It is
anticipated that a paper for the President's review
and decision will be ready by mid-December.
LIBRARY
10.
Education
"We insist that Congress review, evaluate and
consolidate the more than 400 federal education
programs and assign priorities to those that are
effective. Federal support to reduce financial
comment
barriers to students in post-secondary education and
to encourage vocational education and job training,
compensatory education for the disadvantaged, and
special education for the physically and mentally
-5-
handicapped should supplement resources provided
by state and local programs. Administration of
educational programs is the responsibility of
state government and local institutions, and
federal intrusion cannot be allowed.
"We favor the development of quality day care
services, locally controlled and administered, with
the requirement that the recipients of these services
pay their fair share of the costs according to their
ability. "
Comment
A Domestic Council review group is currently
reviewing all of the federal government education
programs with a view toward presenting the President
with a series of grant consolidation proposals for
his decision by early December. We also believe
that quality day-care services are essentially a
local responsibility.
11.
Mentally and Physically Handicapped
"Those among us who are handicapped face difficult
challenges every day while trying to cope with a
physical environment designed for the activities of
the non-handicapped. We believe that strong efforts
commet
should be made to assist the handicapped to function
in our society--to have access to education, medical
care, economic security, equal treatment from our
institutions, improved transportation and protection
from exploitation. "
Comment
We concur with this assessment. The President will
shortly announce his plans to convene a White House
Conference on the Handicapped which will review the
various programs.
12.
Crime
"A fundamental responsibility of government is to
protect the lives and property of its citizens. We
believe the thrust of justice must be to protect the
law-abiding citizen against the criminal. To combat
Comben
crime:
-6-
"We support the continuance of federal grants to
States, cities and towns to strengthen local law
enforcement.
"We support court system reform to increase
efficiency, eliminate excessive case loads,
reverse the present practice of 'turnstyle justice,'
and keep the criminal off the streets.
"We support reform of our penal system to correct the
failure of our present policies of punishment and
rehabilitation.
"We support redoubled efforts against the hard drug
traffic to arrest, prosecute and convict pushers--
especially those that prey on young boys and girls.
"We propose Congress enact mandatory minimum sentences
for persons convicted of federal crimes involving
violence, use of firearms, trafficking in hard drugs
and habitual offenses."
Comment
We strongly agree with the crime proposal, which
follows almost precisely the President's special
message to the Congress on crime, as well as the
recommendation of the Domestic Council drug abuse
task force that efforts should be redoubled against
hard drug traffic.
13.
Illegal Aliens
"An estimated 10 million citizens of foreign
countries now live illegally in the United States and
actively compete with American workers for available
jobs. Congress must insist on enforcement of
existing laws which establish a legal yearly entry
rate, increased border control and more effective
apprehension and deportation of people living
illegally in the United States. "
Comment
We concur with this recommendation. The President
has asked the Domestic Council to review with the
Attorney General the illegal aliens problem. A
report is currently being developed by the Attorney
General and the Secretary of Labor for the President
with a series of recommendations.
-7-
14. Defense
Scowcraft
Defer to NSC and OMB.
15. Agriculture
"Overregulation by the government must not be allowed
to hamper the most vital and efficient segment of
our society--agriculture. Production of food and
fiber satisfies not only our domestic needs, but
is also the keystone of our export program and our
balance of payments. Agriculture policies should
be designed to operate within the free market system
with full recognition of the unique production and
marketing problems faced by farmers and ranchers.
In addition, applicable federal estate and gift tax
provisions should be reviewed and reformed in order
to preserve the ability of families to retain
ownership of farm land.' "
Comment
The President's current positions generally support
the Program for Progress proposal.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
November 11, 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR:
JIM CONNOR
FROM:
JIM CANNON
SUBJECT:
Republican Legislative Agenda
You asked for a review of the Republican Legislative
Agenda. As I mentioned in my earlier memo of October 29,
the agenda encompasses general policy statements without
many specifics. These are in general reflective of the
Administration's position in regard to each item.
Given the fact that you have solicited OMB, EPA, NSC,
and ERC comments, you have the fiscal, economic, national
security, and energy perspectives on these agenda items.
The following, therefore, reflect primarily a "domestic
policy" perspective on the items in the agenda.
AGENDA ITEM
1. Private Enterprise
LIBRARY
"We believe that at this time in our history it is
essential the role of government be diminished and
emphasis placed on encouragement of individual
enterprise."
Comment
This is a major and pervasive theme of the President's
current policy reflected in almost every policy
initiative. These include regulatory reform and
the $28 billion budget reduction and tax reform
package.
2. Public Debt
"We recognize the fact that the transition from a
deficit of $80 billion to a balance between revenue
-2-
and expenditures in one year, although desirable, is
not feasible. We would expect to effect it within
three years "
Comment
This is supportive of the President's position.
They place emphasis on consolidation, and this is
currently a major thrust of the program initiatives
being developed by the Domestic Council. We are
particularly focusing on approaches which will give
greater flexibility to state and local government and
reduce federal red tape.
3. Government Reform
"We believe a commission should be established to
study the operations of our government departments
and agencies and recommend necessary reform."
Comment
This is an interesting concept which has been
considered as a possible element of the State of the
Union message. At this point we have held back on
it because we believe that "study commissions" can
be viewed as a "non-leadership" approach to avoiding
issues. A sub-head to this item was a comment on a
need for a national transportation policy. This
has been the subject of some attention. Secretary
Coleman has surfaced one version of such a plan.
4. Tax Reform
"We propose that Congress begin work immediately on
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
a revision of federal taxation to simplify tax
preparation, to discourage tax evasion, to bring
equity to the tax system and to provide incentives
for economic growth.
Comment
These principles are solid ones which coincide with
the general emphasis of the President's proposal.
5. Welfare Reform
The Agenda presents a detailed description of the
Food Stamp reform proposal in the Michel-Buckley Bill.
-3-
Comment
The President's bill reflects almost entirely the
recommendations in this package.
6. Energy
"The key to future economic security and a high
standard of living for all Americans is a
comprehensive national policy that will produce
an adequate supply of energy for an expanding
economy.
Comment
This is reflective in general of the Administration's
approach. It does not endorse the Energy Independence
Authority nor does it reflect a belief that conservation
will require higher prices.
7. Older Americans
"To protect the purchasing power of the income
savings of our older people, we must stop inflation.
We believe the Federal government must meet its
commitments in finding solutions and facilities to
help meet their needs. Needed is catastrophic
medical insurance that will cover the medical needs
of those who experience long illnesses. We support
a nutritional supplement system and a comprehensive
FOND VIBRARY
program of nutrition education for needy older
citizens. Inadequate housing and transportation
must receive our undivided attention and affirmative
action.
Comment
The President's economic program is designed to
achieve economic recovery without overly stimulating
inflation. The Domestic Council is currently working
on various health insurance proposals for the
President to review later this fall. Additionally,
a comprehensive review of the needs of the elderly
and of the impact of existing Federal programs on
the elderly is underway.
-4- -
8.
Health Care
"There is an urgent need to review Federal
involvement in health care. Not only government
spending but also regulations and guidelines have
had great impact on national health care delivery."
Comment
This is being reviewed in connection with the
Domestic Council's work related to next year's State
of the Union and legislative program.
9. Social Security--Retirement
"Congress must give top priority to maintaining the
integrity of Social Security trust funds and must
revise retirement programs to more nearly meet the
needs of older Americans. We propose that Congress
expand Keogh-type supplement retirement plan to
make it available to all workers. Our proposal would
provide tax incentives to allow workers to invest
voluntarily in a private retirement fund that would
supplement both Social Security and company pension
plans.
"
Comment
At the President's direction, the Domestic Council
is studying the short term and long term financing
RALD FORD LIBRARY
problems of Social Security and is developing various
proposals to meet such problems. An initial paper on
the short term financing problems was presented to
the Economic Policy Board last Thursday. It is
anticipated that a paper for the President's review
and decision will be ready by mid-December.
10. Education
"We insist that Congress review, evaluate and
consolidate the more than 400 federal education
programs and assign priorities to those that are
effective. Federal support to reduce financial
barriers to students in post-secondary education and
to encourage vocational education and job training,
compensatory education for the disadvantaged, and
special education for the physically and mentally
-5-
handicapped should supplement resources provided
by state and local programs. Administration of
educational programs is the responsibility of
state government and local institutions, and
federal intrusion cannot be allowed.
"We favor the development of quality day care
services, locally controlled and administered, with
the requirement that the recipients of these services
pay their fair share of the costs according to their
ability."
Comment
A Domestic Council review group is currently
reviewing all of the federal government education
programs with a view toward presenting the President
with a series of grant consolidation proposals for
his decision by early December. We also believe
that quality day-care services are essentially a
local responsibility.
11. Mentally and Physically Handicapped
"Those among us who are handicapped face difficult
FORD LIBRARY &
challenges every day while trying to cope with a
physical environment designed for the activities of
the non-handicapped. We believe that strong efforts
should be made to assist the handicapped to function
in our society--to have access to education, medical
care, economic security, equal treatment from our
institutions, improved transportation and protection
from exploitation."
Comment
We concur with this assessment. The President will
shortly announce his plans to convene a White House
Conference on the Handicapped which will review the
various programs.
12. Crime
"A fundamental responsibility of government is to
protect the lives and property of its citizens. We
believe the thrust of justice must be to protect the
law-abiding citizen against the criminal. To combat
crime:
-6-
"We support the continuance of federal grants to
States, cities and towns to strengthen local law
enforcement.
"We support court system reform to increase
efficiency, eliminate excessive case loads,
reverse the present practice of 'turnstyle justice, I
and keep the criminal off the streets.
"We support reform of our penal system to correct the
failure of our present policies of punishment and
rehabilitation.
"We support redoubled efforts against the hard drug
traffic to arrest, prosecute and convict pushers--
especially those that prey on young boys and girls.
"We propose Congress enact mandatory minimum sentences
for persons convicted of federal crimes involving
violence, use of firearms, trafficking in hard drugs
and habitual offenses.
"
Comment
We strongly agree with the crime proposal, which
follows almost precisely the President's special
message to the Congress on crime, as well as the
FORD & LIBRARY GIVURD
recommendation of the Domestic Council drug abuse
task force that efforts should be redoubled against
hard drug traffic.
13. Illegal Aliens
"An estimated 10 million citizens of foreign
countries now live illegally in the United States and
actively compete with American workers for available
jobs. Congress must insist on enforcement of
existing laws which establish a legal yearly entry
rate, increased border control and more effective
apprehension and deportation of people living
illegally in the United States. "
Comment
We concur with this recommendation. The President
has asked the Domestic Council to review with the
Attorney General the illegal aliens problem. A
report is currently being developed by the Attorney
General and the Secretary of Labor for the President
with a series of recommendations.
- -7-
14. Defense
Defer to NSC and OMB.
15. Agriculture
'Overregulation by the government must not be allowed
to hamper the most vital and efficient segment of
our society--agriculture. Production of food and
fiber satisfies not only our domestic needs, but
is also the keystone of our export program and our
balance of payments. Agriculture policies should
be designed to operate within the free market system
with full recognition of the unique production and
marketing problems faced by farmers and ranchers.
In addition, applicable federal estate and gift tax
provisions should be reviewed and reformed in order
to preserve the ability of families to retain
ownership of farm land."
Comment
The President's current positions generally support
the Program for Progress proposal.
BERALD R. LISBARY FORD
DOMESTIC COUNCIL CORRESPONDENCE PROFILE
DOC
RECD
LOG NBR
MO
DA
MO
DA
HR
10
/
10
/
10
7500490
REFERENCE:
TO: PRES
FROM: CANNON
WHSS
V.P
DUNHAM
OTHER
CANNON
CAVANAUGH
DUNHAM
WH35
CAVANAUGH
OTHER
SOURCE/DESCRIPTION
EX. SEC
OTHER
INITIAL ACTION OFFICER Caranaugh
SPECIAL CODE
SUBJECT:
Conneraction memorandum a Program
for Prigress
LEAD DEPT/AGENCY:
INTERNAL ROUTING AND DISTRIBUTION
REC
ACTION REQUIRED
ACTION
CY
MEMO FOR PRES
(
)
ADVANCE CYS TO JMC
FOR
MEMO FOR JMC
(
)
DEPUTY DIR - POLICY AND RG
REPLY FOR
1
)
DEPUTY DIR . OPERATIONS
APPROPRIATE ACTION
STAFF SECRETARY
(
)
DISTR/INITIAL ACTION ASSIGNMENT
HEALTH. SOC SCTY AND PUB. ASST.
ANY ACTION NECESSARY?
(
1
MEMO: FROM
TO:
(
)
CRIME. JUSTICE. CIVIL RTS. AND COMM.
\
JOINT MEMO
HOUSING AND COMMT'Y AFFAIRS
(
,
REFER TO:
(
)
ENVIRONMENT
FOR:
(
1
AGRIC. ECON DEV AND COMMERCE
CONCURRENCE
(
,
LABOR. EDUC. AND VETERANS
(
)
ENERGY AND TRANSPORTATION
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
COMMENTS: analysis INCLUDING SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS)
EXECUTIVE SECRETARIAT
Damestic Cauncil staff
DATES
DUE
DUE: Oct. 3
3 AM/PM
LDA
AM/PM
DATE
FROM
TO
S
SUBSEQUENT ACTION REQUIRED (OR TAKEN).
CY TO
SUBSEQUENT ROUTING/ACTIONS
FORD VIBRARY
DISPATCH
FILE ROMTS:
CY ROMTS: SEE ABOVE PLUS
SA
WHCF
EXEC SEC DISP INSTR
NOTIFY
AND DATE
BY
CA
DCHS
DY
SPECIAL DISPOSITION
CRT in
CROSS REF W.'
OPEN
SUGRENSE COPY ATTACHED
CLOSE
AU 5 GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1975 -590 -319
III WITH HOUSE
MEMORANDEN
LOG NO.:
490
September 25, 1975
Time:
YOR ACTION:
CC (for it formation):
Phil Buchen
Jack Marsh
Jim Cannon
Bill Seidman
Max Friedersdorf
Brent Scowcroft
Jim Lynn
Frank Zarb
PROM THE WAY
DUE: Date:
Wednesday, October 1
Time:
12 Noon
SUBJECT:
Republican Legislative Agenda
"A Program for Progress"
9/8/75
ACTION REQUESTED:
X
For Necessary Action
For Your Recommendations
Prepare Agenda and Brief
Drail Reply
GLEALOR FORD LIBRARY
X
For Your Comments
Draft Remarks
REMARKS:
We have been requested to prepare a report for the President
on the Republican Legislative Agenda presented to him by the
Republican Leadership. This report should cover:
1) What is being proposed.
2) What are we doing in the areas mentioned in report.
3) What are we not doing that we should be looking into
In other words, any initia tives in the report we should
consider undertaking?
PLEASE ATTACH THIS COPY TO MATERIAL SUBMITTED.
(!
Jim Connor
For the President
490
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
September 30, 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR:
MIKE DUVAL
JIM FALK
TOD HULLIN
PAUL LEACH
DAVID LISSY
DICK PARSONS
GLENN SCHLEEDE
STEVE McCONAHEY
ART QUERN
FROM:
JIM CAVANAUGH
SUBJECT:
CONNOR ACTION MEMORANDUM RE.
REPUBLICAN LEGISLATIVE AGENDA,
"A PROGRAM FOR PROGRESS"
The House Republican leadership recently presented
the President with the Republican Legislative Agenda
(attached)
A report on this agenda will be prepared for the
President, and we have been asked to contribute our
comments and recommendations on their program.
Specifically:
(1) What is being proposed?
(2) What are we doing in the areas mentioned
in the report?
(3) What are we not doing that we should be
looking into? In other words, any initiatives
in the report we should consider undertaking.
Would you please, in conjunction with your counterpart
at OMB, review your areas of responsibility and provide
me with an analysis which may be included in the report
to the President.
I would appreciate having your material by close of
business, Friday, October 3, 1975. Thanks.
REPUBLICAN LEGISLATIVE AGENDA:
A PROGRAM FOR PROGRESS
SEPTEMBER 8, 1975
FORD LISKART
REPUBLICAN LEGISLATIVE AGENDA:
A PROGRAM FOR PROGRESS
The principal mission of government must be to provide its citizens
the freedom to pursue opportunities to create and maintain the type of
life each of them desires. We believe that the vast majority of
Americans prefer:
-- A life in which freedom of thought and action of the individual
as a member of society is preserved and protected. Government's
duty is to defend its people against aggressors from without
and subversive and criminal elements from within.
-- A life lived in an economic climate in which truly competitive
free enterprise predominates. Government's role is to foster
and further free enterprise, while maintaining protection for
society and individuals against unfair advantage taken by
predatory interests.
-- A life in which all people have a full opportunity for success.
Society and government have joint responsibility to make programs
and facilities available to train individuals in marketable
skills, so they may become productive members of the free
enterprise system.
-- A life that promotes and strengthens individual and family
responsibility. Our youth should be given every opportunity
to be exposed to the positive values of our American heritage.
-- A life in which assistance is available to the needy, disabled,
aged and handicapped, but in which able-bodied and able-minded
persons are expected to work and produce.
-2-
Our present society has not yet fully achieved these goals, but
it has proved that it has the ability to do so -- that it offers the
best hope yet devised by man to realize the fulfillment of the American
dream. We intend to hasten it toward its goal by prodding it where it
needs prodding, by adjusting it where it needs adjusting, but all the
while nurturing and protecting it against those who would destroy it.
Government will play an important role, but must refrain from
competing with and from putting strains and pressures on free enterprise
which would damage the entire system and thus lead to eventual failure.
The essence of our American system is choice. Our nation grew
strong under the concept of freedom of our people to choose the course
of government. To choose well, there must be recognizable programs to
be weighed in the balance. As a responsible minority, seeking to
become a nucleus of a majority, we believe our obligation is to move
our government better to serve the people.
FORD
There are certain principles which guide a Republic year in and
year out. The policies any government should follow must be dictated
by the particular time in which those guidelines will be operative.
We believe that at this time in our history it is essential the
role of government be diminished, and emphasis placed on the encouragement
1
of individual enterprise.
Congress must come to grips with the realities of federal spending
in a peacetime economy and not allow the federal government to be the
primary cause of inflation. We believe the Congress through the Budget
Committee has the responsibility to curb excessive federal deficit
financing, and work with the Executive Branch to establish national
priorities consistent with federal revenues.
-3-
We recognize the fact that the transition from a deficit of
$80 billion to a balance between revenue and expenditures in one year,
although desirable, is not feasible. We would expect to effect it
within three years. During that time, it would be necessary for us
to forego additional programs to be financed through the public sector
and concentrate on improving, consolidating and in certain cases
eliminating by intensive legislative oversight and amendment existing
ineffective or unnecessary programs.
2
We believe a commission should be established to study the operations
of our government departments and agencies and recommend necessary
3
reforms
In addition, our national transportation system must be
reviewed and necessary legislative remedies enacted which will provide
a balanced and adequate transportation system for the country.
Since its beginning in 1913, the federal income tax system has
grown into a hodgepodge of conflicting regulations, inconsistencies,
and inequities. Our tax system needs immediate reform, the kind of
reform that would require every American to pay a fair share, no more
or no less. We must avoid incentive-destroying tax levels which slow
4
the growth of the economy and prevent the creation of new jobs.
We stand for full employment and believe every American who is
willing and able to work has a right to expect and an obligation to
pursue opportunities to earn a living. Because massive federal make-work
programs offer no hope to the jobless for long-range future security,
we endorse stimulation of free enterprise to generate productive jobs
that will last and pay a decent wage. We favor automatically extended
unemployment benefits coupled with intensive manpower training to tide
workers over periods of unemployment. Much of the added expense for
expanded manpower training can be defrayed by purging the bloated welfare
-4-
rolls of the many ineligibles, by rooting out welfare fraud and by
strengthening work requirements. Moreover, to help channel assistance
where it is really needed, we favor a drastic revision of the run-away
5
food stamp program.
One of the great challenges of our time is our need to become
independent in energy production. We believe that energy independence
should be reached mainly through the efforts of private enterprise.
Tax incentives will be needed to assist in prodigious capital formation
to invest in new and expanded facilities. The direct federal role should
be limited to appropriate participation in research and development of
6
new energy sources.
We believe older Americans are especially deserving of attention
and concern. They are faced with loss of income security from inflation
and the spectre of financial disaster from major illnesses. The
greatest contribution Congress can make is to assume leadership in an
all-out effort to reduce inflation to protect the buying power of
retirement dollars. Because of spiraling costs for medical care and
health services, we feel a health insurance program offering protection
7
against the financial ravages of catastrophic illnesses is needed.
The entire area of health care must be examined in order to establish
a national health policy. Federal involvement in health care is extensive,
with fragmented, categorical programs and pervasive regulations and
guidelines. In order to address the complex questions involved in this
issue, we have established a Task Force on Health with the Republican
8
Research Committee.
-5-
We regard it as imperative to preserve the integrity of the Social
Security Trust Fund financed by employee-employer contributions and to
adjust benefit payments to sustain purchasing power in constant dollars.
We will actively support incentives to expand the individual retirement
9
program of every American.
Education of our nation's young people is a state responsibility,
10
a local function and a federal concern.
The mentally and physically handicapped must be afforded opportunities
11
that will allow them to function as useful members of our society.
It is a major responsibility of government to protect the lives
and property of its citizens and insure the domestic tranquility.
Justice must be as concerned with protecting the rights of the victim
of crime as assuring the rights of the accused. At the same time, we
must consider legislation to assure American citizens that they will
not be subject to arbitrary or unjustified surveillance by government
12
agents and to protect citizens' rights-to-privacy.
An estimated 10 million residents of foreign countries now live
illegally in the United States and actively compete with American workers
for available jobs. Existing laws which establish a legal yearly entry
13
rate must be strengthened and strictly enforced.
In this nuclear age, we live in a still-perilous world. Until
disarmament becomes a reality it is necessary that we continue intensive
negotiations. There is no acceptable alternative to an American defense
14
second to none.
-6-
Efficient production of food and fiber is to the credit of the
American farmer and must be encouraged to meet domestic and world needs
15
without undue government interference.
Democrats have controlled both Houses of Congress for 38 of the
past 42 years and must bear the responsibility for failure of the
federal government to meet the needs of America. Loosely written
legislation by Congress has created a maze of contradictory and duplicative
controls. Congress must provide constant oversight of federal operations
and regulatory agencies to insure that legislative intent is carried out
and to determine the need for corrective legislation.
The positions and attitudes reflected here are presented as
guidelines, not as a definitive, all-inclusive program for America.
In fact, we recognize the omission of many areas of concern, not from
a lack of interest, but because our positions have become well-known
through our legislative actions or through our party platforms. We
attempt to point in the directions in which we would intend to lead our
country, were we to become the nucleus of a majority in Congress. We
believe it is incumbent upon Congress to respond in these ways to the
people who must pay for government, and we believe the people must
and will see to it that the Congress does so respond.
1 - Private Enterprise
Our two-hundred year old system of private enterprise, working
within a free and competitive economy, has produced the highest living
standard in the world. This private sector production has been and is
the only creator of our national wealth with government merely redistributing
wealth it has acquired through taxation of private enterprise and individual
citizens. Any broader effort by government to control or direct our
huge trillion-and-a-half dollar economic machine could be a disaster.
Government should not assume the function of the great tinkerer, but
can, and should, help promote prosperity. It can best do this by not
hindering the course of commerce, by minimizing regulation, by allowing
the time-tested laws of supply and demand to work with maximum freedom,
by encouraging healthy competition and the enforcement of anti-trust
laws that protect the consumer and fledgling businesses. We believe
that solutions to our dual economic problems of inflation and recession
lie in returning decision-making to the people through the forces of
supply and demand in the marketplace. People themselves can best decide
what to produce, sell, and buy, and at what price levels. No government
FORD
agency is as capable of making these decisions as are the people through
the voluntary exchange of goods and services. There is already ample
machinery within the federal government and in the private sector to
protect the consumer from exploitation. We applaud the Ford Administration's
effort to orient existing regulatory and administrative agencies toward
consumer protection. We propose that federal estate and gift tax laws be
revised to encourage private ownership of Small Business.
2- Public Debt
During the past 40 years excessive appropriations by Democrat
controlled Congresses have created massive deficits and forced the
federal government to borrow heavily. This competition with the private
sector has caused interest rates to rise and as a result funds for
private capital investment which are needed to create new jobs have
become scarce and expensive. Massive deficits will rekindle double-
digit inflation and prevent the expansion of business needed to pull
our economy out of the recession. More inflation will further weaken
our economic system, and jeopardize the financial security of all
Americans. Congress must exercise fiscal restraint, consolidate existing
programs, eliminate duplication and waste and thereby reduce the volume
and expense of government.
The Budget Committees of the Congress, in conjunction with the
Executive Branch, must establish spending priorities consistent with
federal revenues with a systematic reduction of the public debt. The
public debt must be restructured. Trust fund surpluses, which by statute
can only be invested in government obligations, tend to distort the real
picture and should not be included in considering the overall public
debt ceiling. The present system of establishing a debt ceiling has
become meaningless. Debt ceiling increases have been manipulated and
irresponsibly used as a vehicle for non-fiscal legislation. We propose
that the limit of the public debt be set concurrently with the adoption
of the Federal Budget.
3- Government Reform
In recent years, an entrenched, burgeoning bureaucracy has
developed in the federal government. Federal agencies have proliferated
and become fragmented, inefficient, duplicative and wasteful.
Regulatory agencies have overstepped their authority in the promulgation
of rules and regulations. They have usurped authorities which
rightfully belong to the States, and ultimately to the people.
Return of power, to the States, as well as strict Congressional
oversight of agency compliance with the letter and spirit of the law,
are urgently needed to preserve personal liberty, improve efficiency,
and eliminate waste. We recommend a bipartisan commission be established
to review present governmental performance, administrative costs,
proliferating federal programs, redefine national goals and recommend
legislative revisions to enhance the capability of government to meet
the challenges of the coming decade. This recommendation emphasizes
the failure of the Democrat Congress to provide effective oversight of
federal operations and regulatory agencies to insure that legislative
intent is carried out and to determine the need to amend loosely written
legislation that has created a maze of contradictory and duplicative
controls, rules and regulations which hamper business and harass the
citizen.
As a majority we would dedicate the next Republican Congress to
legislative oversight -- to redirecting the operations of government
toward efficiency and economy.
4- Tax Reform
The past four decades have seen Democrat Congresses increase
the tax burden on the average working American not only through additional
taxes but with the approval of built-in inequities and loopholes. The
Democrats continue to give lip service to meaningful. tax reform but
produce only false promises which deceive the American taxpayer.
The only way to cut federal taxes for American wage earners is to reduce
total federal expenditures. "Tax gimmicks" are not a solution but only
offer benefits to special interest groups.
We propose that Congress begin work immediately on revision of
federal taxation:
-- to simplify tax preparation
-- to discourage tax evasion
-- to bring equity to the tax system
-- to provide incentives for economic growth.
5- Welfare Reform
We believe that society has the responsibility to assist those
who cannot provide for themselves. The present welfare system falls
far short of this goal due to mismanagement and abuses. The $5.2 billion
Food Stamp Program has grown 14,203% in the past decade. Recipients
have increased from 500,000 in 1965 to nearly 20 million, and under
present regulations an estimated 57 million people are eligible.
Present law has established lax eligibility standards allowing persons
with adequate incomes to participate in the program. This massive
program has bypassed the real intent of Congress to provide help only
for the needy. We call attention to the fact that the bill for welfare
is mainly borne by the American worker. To meet its responsibility to
the American taxpayer and the truly needy, Congress must take immediate
steps to reform the welfare system. We propose Congressional action:
-- to provide adequate living standards for the truly needy
-- to eliminate ineligible recipients from the welfare rolls
-- to establish effective regulations to prevent future welfare fraud
-- to strengthen and enforce work requirements
-- to provide educational and vocational incentives to allow
recipients to become self-supporting
-- to increase penalties for welfare fraud to discourage abuses
-- to coordinate Federal reforms with state and social welfare agencies
-- to strengthen state and local administrative functions
-- to transfer administration of the Food Stamp Program from the
Department of Agriculture to HEW
-- to tighten eligibility requirements for food stamps.
6- Energy
The key to future economic security and a high standard of living
for all Americans is a comprehensive national policy that will produce
an adequate supply of energy for an expanding economy.
We believe the current lack of direction by the Democrat majority.
in Congress poses grave economic peril for the future. Their single-
minded emphasis on unrealistically regulated prices today, fails to lay
the groundwork necessary for future expanded energy supplies.
Constructive action now by the Congress could help assure our people
and our industries an ample supply of reasonably priced energy for the
years ahead.
-- We propose that all federal regulations, programs and policies
that directly affect energy, be reviewed, and ineffective
programs be eliminated or replaced.
Our energy challenge must essentially be solved by private industry.
We believe that unreasonable regulatory and tax policies have hampered
development and lessened investment in research, plants and equipment
needed for maximum energy production.
-- We propose a windfall profits tax program with a plowback
provision to encourage reinvestment of energy earnings and
eliminate windfall profits.
Energy development has been hampered by excessive and often frivolous
litigation, endless hearings, studies, commissions and reports.
-- We propose that Congress' comprehensive energy package provide
strong legal authority to allow development of natural resources
with full recognition of the need to provide safeguards for the
protection of the environment.
During the period of 1970-1974, our yearly imports of foreign oil
rose from 483 million barrels to 1.2 billion barrels, while during the
same period domestic production fell from 3.5 billion barrels to
3.2 billion barrels per year. Our nation cannot afford continued
dependence on foreign oil.
-- We propose that Congress provide incentives for exploration
and development of more American-owned oil and natural gas.
A full scale effort must be made to develop our oil shale
resources.
Our nation must develop alternative energy sources. Congress should
provide incentives and opportunities to accelerate research, discovery
and delivery of untapped resources. Immediate emphasis should be given
to development of economical solar energy systems for homes and industry.
-- We propose that Congress require that new federal structures,
where practical, be heated and cooled with solar systems.
An essential part of a national energy program must be development
of all available forms of energy.
-- We propose a stepped-up program for coal gasification, geo-thermal
and nuclear power production.
-- A strong program of research and development should be continued
for the fusion process to unlock the unlimited potential of the
Hydrogen atom.
Conservation of energy depends on more efficient utilization by
industry and individuals.
-- We propose that Congress provide practical incentives:
1- for conservation of energy by the public
2- to increase the utilization of waste materials in energy production
3- for production by industry of more energy efficient products.
7- Older Americans
Many older Americans live on relatively fixed, limited incomes
and inflation has hurt them cruelly. The rapidly rising cost of
living is caused in substantial measure by the profligate spending
of the federal government. To protect the purchasing power of the
income and savings of our older people we must stop inflation.
We believe the federal government must meet its commitments to
finding solutions and facilities to help meet their needs. Needed is
"catastrophic" health insurance that will cover the medical needs of
those who experience long, serious illnesses. We support a nutritional
supplement system and a comprehensive program of nutrition education
for needy older citizens. Inadequate housing and transportation must
receive our undivided attention and affirmative action.
GENAUE FORD LIBRARY
8- Health Care
There is an urgent need to review Federal involvement in health
care. Not only government spending, but regulations and guidelines
have had great impact on national health care delivery.
Under our present system, we have one of the best health care
delivery programs in the world. There are some gaps that need filling,
to assure our people the quality of services nationwide that we are
capable of providing.
We believe that our nation needs a National Health Policy, which
would balance health systems supply and demand with financing. In
addition there is a need for emphasis on education, environmental
improvement, better housing and nutritional gains, all of which affect
the general health of the American public.
A National Health Policy would determine broad goals and priorities
for medical care, preventive practices, and dispersal of facilities
to be within reach of our people. We believe the present combination
of private and public health care financing can be extended and improved.
The present system suffers from fragmentation, and we believe a National
Health Policy should bring together all vital health functions into a
practical and workable program to provide better health care for all
our citizens.
9- Social Security - Retirement
Controlling inflation is the most important way to insure the
retirement security earned by American workers. Congress must give
top priority to maintaining the integrity of the Social Security Trust
Funds and must revise retirement programs to more nearly meet the needs
of older Americans. Adequate funding that will provide benefits in
constant value dollars should be assured from a self-adjusting formula
of contributions by employees and employers. Unlimited outside
earnings should be allowed without benefit penalties.
All Americans deserve the opportunity to provide their own
additional retirement security. The Individual Retirement Account (IRA)
has extended this opportunity to an additional segment of our working
force. We propose that Congress expand this Keogh-type supplemental
retirement plan to make it available to all workers. Our proposal
would provide tax incentives allowing workers to invest voluntarily in
a private retirement fund that would supplement both Social Security
and company pension plans. In addition to providing greater retirement
security this plan will provide investment funds needed to build a
stronger American economy and to aid in capital formation.
10- Education
We insist that Congress review, evaluate and consolidate the more
than 400 federal education programs and assign priorities to those
that are effective. Federal support to reduce financial barriers to
students in post-secondary education and to encourage vocational
education and job training, compensatory education for the disadvantaged,
and special education for the physically and mentally handicapped should
supplement resources provided by state and local programs. Administration
of educational programs is the responsibility of state government and
local institutions, and federal intrusion cannot be allowed.
We favor the development of quality day care services, locally
controlled and administered, with the requirement that the recipients
of these services pay their fair share of the costs according to their
ability.
In the education and training of children there is no substitute
for parental discipline. We believe in the parents' right to make
fundamental decisions regarding the care, development and education
of their children.
FORD LIGRARY
11-Mentally and Physically Handicapped
Those among us who are handicapped face difficult challenges
every day while trying to cope with a physical environment designed
for the activities of the non-handicapped. We believe that strong
efforts should be made to assist the handicapped to function in our
society -- to have access to education, medical care, economic
security, equal treatment from our institutions, improved transportation
and protection from exploitation.
Federal programs should be reviewed to ensure that all that can
be done is being done to help the handicapped become more fully
integrated into our social and economic life.
12-Crime
A fundamental responsibility of government is to protect the
lives and property of its citizens. We believe the thrust of justice
must be to protect the law-abiding citizen against the criminal.
To combat crime:
-- We support the continuance of federal grants to States, cities
and towns to strengthen local law enforcement.
We support court system reform to increase efficiency, eliminate
excessive case loads, reverse the present practice of
"turnstyle justice" and keep the criminal off the streets.
-- We support reform of our penal system to correct the failure
of our present policies of punishment and rehabilitation.
We support redoubled efforts against the hard drug traffic to
arrest, prosecute, and convict pushers -- especially those that
prey on young boys and girls.
We propose Congress enact mandatory minimum sentences for persons
convicted of federal crimes involving violence, use of firearms,
trafficking in hard drugs and habitual offenses.
Prevention is the long-term solution to crime. Effective crime
prevention depends on strengthening community ties and encouraging
individual participation in community decisions establishing moral and
ethical standards. We recognize, however, that a healthy fear of swift
and sure punishment is not without effectiveness in crime prevention.
13-Illegal Aliens
An estimated 10 million citizens of foreign countries now live
illegally in the United States and actively compete with American
workers for available jobs. Congress must insist on enforcement of
existing laws which establish a legal yearly entry rate, increased
border control and more effective apprehension and deportation of people
living illegally in the United States. Social Security requirements
for all workers must be enforced and participation by illegal aliens
in federally funded welfare programs must be stopped.
14-Defense
The first, and major, responsibility of government is to provide
for the common defense. Recent world events have demonstrated that
until we can safely disarm, we must continue to improve our military
capability to defend the United States and honor our commitments to
Free World Nations. A strong military capability is essential to the
balance of power on which our safety rests. To be successful in
negotiations with foreign nations we must deal from a position of
strength. Preparedness cannot be a sometime policy. Responsibility
for the common defense, for maintaining our military capability, our
honor and commitments, rests with Congress. We deplore the attitude
that the military budget represents a readily available source of
federal money which can be diverted to other programs without dangerous
consequences. Congress must continue to provide adequate funding to
sustain volunteer manpower levels, equip our forces and conduct vital
research and development.
It is also the imperative responsibility of Congress to eliminate
frills and waste, and to ensure a lean, efficient and mobile military
to meet the challenges of the 1970's.
15-Agriculture
Overregulation by the government must not be allowed to hamper
the most vital and efficient segment of our society -- agriculture.
Production of food and fiber satisfies not only our domestic needs,
but is also the keystone of our export program and our balance of
payments. Agriculture policies should be designed to operate within
the free market system with full recognition of the unique production
and marketing problems faced by farmers and ranchers. In addition,
applicable federal estate and gift tax provisions should be reviewed
and reformed in order to preserve the ability of families to retain
ownership of farm land.
OF THE
PRESIDENT
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
OFFICE
UNITED
OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
SECURITY
STATES
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20503
November 19, 1975
MEMORANDUM FOR
Wesley K. Sasaki Rodney
JIM JURA and Weiher
FROM:
SUBJECT:
Trudy Fry's request regarding: Republican legislative
agenda package regarding energy
The following is provided per Trudy Fry's request.
FORD LIBRARY
Comprehensive Energy Package (bottom of first page)
The President did have what was labeled a comprehensive energy package
early in 1975. With particular reference to developing natural resources,
the President made recommendations to the Congress which enacted a strip
mine bill unacceptable to the President and it was vetoed earlier this
year (H.R. 25). The issue will be raised with the President shortly as
to whether he wants to try for another bill in the next session of the
Congress considering that States currently have regulatory authority.
Suggest, therefore, that we emphasize the broad objectives of the compre-
hensive energy package, per the suggested language (attached).
Incentives for Oil and Gas Exploration and Development (top of second
page)
The President's proposal for deregulation of oil and natural gas prices
is meant to provide incentives for exploration and development. We be-
lieve that any further incentives, especially in the form of subsidies,
are unnecessary and should not be provided. The market place should pro-
vide adequate incentives in the form of profits. Suggest we use the
proposed language (attached).
Oil Shale Development (top of second page)
We, as a Nation, are probably going as fast as we can on oil shale
development. The Interior Department has leased public lands for this
purpose on a trial basis and is contemplating further leases. The
Administration's synthetic fuels package will provide some financial
assistance for demonstration projects. Any further developments should
2
be dependent on the economic competitiveness of oil shale versus other
energy resources. Suggest attached language.
Economical Solar Energy and Federal Buildings (middle of second page)
The Administration has not proposed that new Federal buildings should be
heated or cooled with solar systems. Unless they are economically com-
petitive with standard heating and cooling systems, except perhaps for a
few demonstrations, would the Administration support this? Also, we have
a balanced R&D program and solar should not receive immediate emphasis.
Geothermal Production and Coal Gasification (middle of second page)
Suggest delete reference to coal gasification and substitute "The
President has proposed, and is very close to launching, a Synthetic
Fuels Commercialization Demonstration program with the objective of
producing 350,000 barrels per day by 1985, with the potential in 1978-80
of accelerating the program to achieve 1 million barrels in 1985. Final
Congressional authorization is pending."
The Federal assistance for coal gasification should not go beyond the
demonstration phase included in the Administration's synthetic fuels
package. Further, geothermal energy is limited and is not expected to
provide a significant portion of future energy demands. Nor can utiliza-
tion of waste materials (bottom of second page) provide a significant
source of energy.
FORD LIBRAXY
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Jim -
Attached are your comments re Energy
on the Republican Legislative Agenda
package. Would it be possible to
put your comments into a paragraph
or two - as was done on the other
items. What I am doing is combining
all the comments under each issue --
I am at a lost to know what to say from
OMB on this one, Thanks.
Trudy Fry
11/17/75
FORD & LIBRARY 938839
6- Energy
The key to future economic security and a high standard of living
for all Americans is a comprehensive national policy that will produce
an adequate supply of energy for an expanding economy.
We believe the current lack of direction by the Democrat majority.
in Congress poses grave economic peril for the future. Their single-
minded emphasis on unrealistically regulated prices today, fails to lay
the groundwork necessary for future expanded energy supplies.
Constructive action now by the Congress could help assure our people
and our industries an ample supply of reasonably priced energy for the
years ahead.
FORDO is LIBRARY GERALD
-- We propose that all federal regulations, programs and policies
that directly affect energy, be reviewed, and ineffective
programs be eliminated or replaced.
Our energy challenge must essentially be solved by private industry.
We believe that unreasonable regulatory and tax policies have hampered
development and lessened investment in research, plants and equipment
needed for maximum energy production.
to accompany oil december
-- We propose a windfall profits tax program with a plowback
provision to encourage reinvestment of energy earnings and
eliminate windfall profits.
Energy development has been hampered by excessive'and often frivolous
litigation, endless hearings, studies, commissions and reports.
The President has sinposed a
We propose that Congress comprehensive energy package provide
reture our dependence on boreign somes of
strong legal authority to al a low deve lopment of natural resources
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the free pinyof
with full recognition of the need to provide safeguards for the
the mechanism murket
protection of the environment.
During the period of 1970-1974, our yearly imports of foreign oil
rose from 483 million barrels to 1.2 billion barrels, while during the
same period domestic production fell from 3.5 billion barrels to
3.2 billion barrels per year. Our nation cannot afford continued excessive
dependence on foreign oil.
-- We propose that Congress provide incentives for exploration
and development of more American domestic owned oil and natural gas by phasing
out price counols on all and ending regulation of new natural we a gas.
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FORD
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GERALD
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LIBRARY
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-- We propose that Congress provide practical incentives:
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6- Energy
The key to future economic security and a high standard of living
for all Americans is a comprehensive national policy that will produce
an adequate supply of energy for an expanding economy.
We believe the current lack of direction by the Democrat majority.
in Congress poses grave economic peril for the future. Their single-
minded emphasis on unrealistically regulated prices today, fails to lay
the groundwork necessary for future expanded energy supplies.
Constructive action now by the Congress could help assure our people
and our industries an ample supply of reasonably priced energy for the
years ahead.
-- We propose that all federal regulations, programs and policjes
that directly affect energy, be reviewed, and ineffective
yora LIBRANT
programs be eliminated or replaced.
Our energy challenge must essentially be solved by private industry.
We believe that unreasonable regulatory and tax policies have hampered
development and lessened investment in research, plants and equipment
needed for maximum energy production.
to accompany oil december
-- We propose a windfall profits tax program with a plowback
provision to encourage reinvestment of energy earnings and
eliminate windfall profits.
Energy development has been hampered by excessive and often frivolous
litigation, endless hearings, studies, commissions and reports.
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dependence on foreign oil.
-- We propose that Congress provide incentives for exploration
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FORD 2 GERALD LIBRARY
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