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    "ocrText": "The original documents are located in Box 7, folder \"Republican Legislative Agenda,\nNovember 1975\" of the White House Special Files Unit Files at the Gerald R. Ford\nPresidential Library.\nCopyright Notice\nThe copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of\nphotocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald Ford donated to the United\nStates of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.\nWorks prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public\ndomain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to\nremain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid\ncopyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.\nDigitized from Box 7 of the White House Special Files Unit\nat the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nWASHINGTON\nJim -\nHere is the Republican Legislative Agenda\nI have package two things to come: now complete\nOMB is going to give me a couple\nof paragraphs on their energy comments --\nI could not make sense out of what\nthey submitted.\n----\nAlso I have asked Central Files to return\nthe original copy the President received\nof the agenda so we could attach that.\nYou might want to add to the cover note\nBackup information is attached for your\ninfo.\nTrudy\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nWASHINGTON\nFORD & GERALD LIBRARY\nBuchen do not\npersone any substantial\nnet initiatened -\nHOUSE\nFreedendarp - concur\nLynn ( O M ) - -\nmany substative comments\nMarsh - no comments\nSudman - substatine\ncomments\nSeoweraft - comments\non / 30 14+ general\nUN Special Session\nto headded\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nWASHINGTON\nBarb - some comments energy\nSERALD LIVERSE R. FORD\nNovember 17, 1975\nMR PRESIDENT:\nOn September 24th John Rhodes presented to\nyou the Republican Legislative Agenda:\n\"A Program for Progress\", copy at Tab A.\nThis proposal has been staffed to all interested\nindividuals. The comments received are\nat Tab B.\nJim Connor\nFORD is LIBRARY\nTHE WHITE HOUSE\nWASHINGTON\nNovember 17, 1975\nMR PRESIDENT:\nOn September 24th John Rhodes presented to\nyou the Republican Legislative Agenda:\n\"A Program for Progress\", copy at Tab A.\nThis proposal has been staffed to all interested\nindividuals. The comments received are\nat Tab B.\nJim Connor\n20\nAR\nRepublican\nLegislative\nAgenda\nFORD is LIBRARY 9ERALD\nA Program\nFor Progress\nThe basic goals of a\nRepublican-controlled\nCongress\nJOHN J. RHODES\n1GT DISTRICT. ARIZONA\nWASHINGTON OFFICE:\nOffice of the Minority Leader\nH-232, THE CAPITOL\n2310 RAYBURN House OFFICE BUILDING\nWASHINGTON, D.C. 20515\nUnited States Douse of Representatives\nWASHINGTON, D.C. 20515\nALMA A. ALKIRE\nBashington, D.C. 20515\nJOHN J. WILLIAMS\nRICHARD ROBERTS\nDENNIS J. TAYLOR\nJ. BRIAN SMITH\nCLARA POSEY\nDISTRICT OFFICE:\nSeptember 8, 1975\n6040 FEDERAL BUILDING\nPHOENIX, ARIZONA 85025\nROBERT J. SCANLAN\nDear Friends:\nEarly this year, the House Republican Leadership decided to develop\na legislative program -- or statement of principles -- for House Republi-\ncans. The chief purpose of the program is to provide the American people\nwith a solid notion of what a Republican-controlled Congress would seek\nto accomplish.\nFrankly, we are not pleased with Congress' performance. According\nto all the polls, an overwhelming majority of Americans share our dis-\nappointment. We want people to understand that the best way to change\nCongress is to change party control of Congress (something which has not\nbeen done for over twenty years). The nation needs a Republican Congress.\nConcerning the document itself, it is purposely general. We decided\nvery early that we would do better to present an outline of basic objec-\ntives -- which everyone could read and understand -- than to come up with\na lengthy document laden with detail.\nThe specifics will be provided by individual Republican Members with\nexpertise in various areas. Some of the specifics have already been pre-\nsented. For example, the Republican program calls for a \"drastic revision\nof the run-away food stamp program.\" Certainly the far-reaching proposal\nrecently introduced by the Republican Whip, Mr. Michel, fits this category.\nAdditional specifics will be forthcoming as time goes on.\nHouse Republicans present the GOP legislative agenda at a press confer-\nence, U.S. Capitol, September 8, 1975.\nAs many members of the media have observed, the Republican minority has\nproven to be a remarkably cohesive unit. We have demonstrated our cohesive-\nness on attempted veto overrides. However, we felt that it is part of our\nresponsibilty as the minority to not only show the people what we are \"against,\"\nbut what we are \"for\" as well.\nA Republican Congress would know where it wanted to go. and how to get\nthere.\nYours sincerely,\nJohn J. Rhodes, M.C.\nMinority Leader\nU.S. House of Representatives\n3\nA Program For Progress\nThe following legislative agenda received input from many individual Re-\nThe principal mission of government must be to provide its citizens the\nfreedom to pursue opportunities to create and maintain the type of life each\npublican Members of the U.S. House of Representatives not listed here.\nof them desires. We believe that the vast majority of Americans prefer:\nTheir assistance is greatly appreciated.\nA life in which freedom of thought and action of the individual as a\nmember of society is preserved and protected. Government's duty\nRepublican Members of the Drafting Committee\nis to defend its people against aggressors from without and sub-\nversive and criminal elements from within.\nJohn J. Rhodes, Chairman\nWilliam L. Dickinson\nA life lived in an economic climate in which truly competitive free\nRobert H. Michel\nJoe Skubitz\nJohn B. Anderson\nWilliam S. Broomfield\nenterprise predominates. Government's role is to foster and\nBarber B. Conable\nEdward Hutchinson\nfurther free enterprise, while maintaining protection for society\nSamuel L. Devine\nPhilip E. Ruppe\nand individuals against unfair advantage taken by predatory in-\nJack Edwards\nEdward J. Derwinski\nterests.\nLouis Frey, Jr.\nWilliam H. Harsha\nA life in which all people have a full opportunity for success.\nGuy Vander Jagt\nCharles A. Mosher\nSociety and government have joint responsibility to make pro-\nJames H. Quillen\nSilvio O. Conte\ngrams and facilities available to train individuals in marketable\nWilliam C. Wampler\nFloyd Spence\nskills, so they may become productive members of the free enter-\nElford A. Cederberg\nJohn Paul Hammerschmidt\nBob Wilson\nHerman T. Schneebeli\nprise system.\nAlbert W. Johnson\nClair W. Burgener\nA life that promotes and strengthens individual and family re-\nDelbert L. Latta\nRonald A. Sarasin\nsponsibility. Our youth should be given every opportunity to be\nGilbert Gude\nRichard T. Schulze\nexposed to the positive values of our American heritage.\nAlbert H. Quie\nRichard Kelly\nA life in which assistance is available to the needy, disabled, aged\nFrank Horton\nand handicapped, but in which able-bodied and able-minded per-\nsons are expected to work and produce.\nMembers of the House Republican Policy Committee\nOur present society has not yet fully achieved these goals, but it has\nproved that is has the ability to do so-that it offers the best hope yet de-\nBarber Conable, Chairman\nJohn N. Erlenborn\nvised by man to realize the fulfillment of the American dream. We intend\nJohn J. Rhodes\nChalmers P. Wylie\nto hasten it toward its goal by prodding it where it needs prodding, by ad-\nRobert H. Michel\nAlbert W. Johnson\njusting it where it needs adjusting, but all the while nurturing and protect-\nJohn B. Anderson\nJames F. Hastings\ning it against those who would destroy it.\nSamuel L. Devine\nBud Shuster\nGovernment will play an important role, but must refrain from compet-\nJack Edwards\nRobert W. Kasten, Jr.\ning with and from putting strains and pressures on free enterprise which\nLouis Frey, Jr.\nWilliam C. Wampler\nwould damage the entire system and thus lead to eventual failure.\nGuy Vander Jagt\nMarjorie S. Holt\nJames H. Quillen\nJames W. Stanton\nThe essence of our American system is choice. Our nation grew strong\nCarlos J. Moorhead\nRobert McClory\nunder the concept of freedom of our people to choose the course of govern-\nGarner E. Shriver\nRobert J. Lagomarsino\nment. To choose well, there must be recognizable programs to be weighed\nAlbert H. Quie\nWilliam L. Armstrong\nin the balance. As a responsible minority, seeking to become a nucleus of\nJames T. Broyhill\nRonald A. Sarasin\na majority, we believe our obligation is to move our government better to\nserve the people.\nThere are certain principles which guide a Republic year in and year\nout. The policies any government should follow must be dictated by the\nparticular time in which those guidelines will be operative.\nWe believe that at this time in our history it is essential the role of gov-\nernment be diminished, and emphasis placed on the encouragement of\nindividual enterprise. (1)\nCongress must come to grips with the realities of federal spending in a\npeacetime economy and not allow the federal government to be the prim-\nary cause of inflation. We believe the Congress through the Budget Com-\n5\nmittee has the responsibility to curb excessive federal deficit financing,\nThe entire area of health care must be examined in order to establish a\nand work with the Executive Branch to establish national priorities con-\nnational health policy. Federal involvement in health care is extensive,\nsistent with federal revenues.\nwith fragmented, categorical programs and pervasive regulations and\nWe recognize the fact that the transition from a deficit of $80 billion to a\nguidelines. In order to address the complex questions involved in this\nbalance between revenue and expenditures in one year, although desir-\nissue, we have established a Task Force on Health with the Republican Re-\nable, is not feasible. We would expect to effect it within three years. Dur-\nsearch Committee. (8)\ning that time, it would be necessary for us to forego additional programs to\nWe regard it as imperative to preserve the integrity of the Social Secur-\nbe financed through the public sector and concentrate on improving, con-\nity Fund financed by employee-employer contributions and to adjust bene-\nsolidating and in certain cases eliminating by intensive legislative over-\nfit payments to sustain purchasing power in constant dollars. We will\nsight and amendment existing ineffective or unnecessary programs. (2)\nactively support incentives to expand the individual retirement program\nWe believe a commission should be established to study the operations\nof every American. (9)\nof our government departments and agencies and recommend necessary\nEducation of our nation's young people is a state responsibility, a local\nreforms. (3) In addition, our national transportation system must be re-\nfunction and a federal concern. (10)\nviewed and necessary legislative remedies enacted which will provide a\nThe mentally and physically handicapped must be afforded opportuni-\nbalanced and adequate transportation system for the country.\nties that will allow them to function as useful members of our society. (11)\nSince its beginning in 1913, the federal income tax system has grown\nIt is a major responsibility of government to protect the lives and prop-\ninto a hodgepodge of conflicting regulations, inconsistencies, and in-\nerty of its citizens and insure the domestic tranquility. Justice must be as\nequities. Our tax system needs immediate reform, the kind of reform that\nconcerned with protecting the rights of the victim of crime as assuring the\nwould require every American to pay a fair share, no more or no less. We\nrights of the accused. At the same time, we must consider legislation to\nmust avoid incentive-destroying tax levels which slow the growth of the\nassure American citizens that they will not be subject to artibrary or un-\neconomy and prevent the creation of new jobs. (4)\njustified surveillance by government agents and to protect citizens' rights-\nWe stand for full employment and believe every American who is\nto-privacy. (12)\nwilling and able to work has a right to expect and an obligation to pursue\nAn estimated 10 million residents of foreign countries now live illegally\nopportunities to earn a living. Because massive federal make-work pro-\nin the United States and actively compete with American workers for\ngrams offer no hope to the jobless for long-range future security, we en-\navailable jobs. Existing laws which establish a legal yearly entry rate must\ndorse stimulation of free enterprise to generate productive jobs that will\nbe strengthened and strictly enforced. (13)\nlast and pay a decent wage. We favor automatically extended unemploy-\nIn this nuclear age, we live in a still-perilous world. Until disarmament\nment benefits coupled with intensive manpower training to tide workers\nbecomes a reality it is necessary that we continue intensive negotiations.\nover periods of unemployment. Much of the added expense for expanded\nThere is no acceptable alternative to an American defense second to\nmanpower training can be defrayed by purging the bloated welfare rolls of\nnone. (14)\nthe many ineligibles, by rooting out welfare fraud and by strengthening\nEfficient production of food and fiber is to the credit of the American\nwork requirements. Moreover, to help channel assistance where it is really\nfarmer and must be encouraged to meet domestic and world needs without\nneeded, we favor a drastic revision of the run-away food stamp pro-\nundue government interference. (15)\ngram. (5)\nDemocrats have controlled both Houses of Congress for 38 of the past\nOne of the great challenges of our time is our need to become inde-\n42 years and must bear the responsibility for failure of the federal govern-\npendent in energy production. We believe that energy independence\nment to meet the needs of America. Loosely written legislation by Con-\nshould be reached mainly through the efforts of private enterprise. Tax\ngress has created a maze of contradictory and duplicative controls. Con-\nincentives will be needed to assist in prodigious capital formation to in-\ngress must provide constant oversight of federal operations and regula-\nvest in new and expanded facilities. The direct federal role should be lim-\ntory agencies to insure that legislaive intent is carried out and to determine\nited to appropriate participation in research and development of new en-\nthe need for corrective legislation.\nergy sources. (6)\nThe positions and attitudes reflected here are presented as guidelines,\nnot as a definitive, all-inclusive program for America. In fact, we recog-\nWe believe older Americans are especially deserving of attention and\nnize the omission of many areas of concern, not from a lack of interest, but\nconcern. They are faced with loss of income security from inflation and the\nbecause our positions have become well-known through our legislative\nspectre of financial disaster from major illnesses. The greatest contribu-\nactions or through our Party platforms. We attempt to point in the di-\ntion Congress can make is to assume leadership in an all-out effort to re-\nrections in which we would intend to lead our country, were we to become\nduce inflation to protect the buying power of retirement dollars. Because\nthe nucleus of a majority in Congress. We believe it is incumbent upon\nof spiraling costs for medical care and health services, we feel a health in-\nCongress to respond in these ways to the people who must pay for govern-\nsurance program offering protection against the financial ravages of\nment, and we believe people must and will see to it that the Congress does\ncatastrophic illnesses is needed. (7)\nso respond.\n6\n7\n1. Private Enterprise\n3. Government Reform\nOur two-hundred-year-old system of private enterprise, working within\nIn recent years, an entrenched, burgeoning bureaucracy has developed\na free and competitive economy, has produced the highest living standard\nin the federal government. Federal agencies have proliferated and be-\nin the world. This private sector production has been and is the only creator\ncome fragmented, inefficient, duplicative and wasteful. Regulatory\nof our national wealth with government merely redistributing wealth it has\nagencies have overstepped their authority in the promulgation of rules and\nacquired through taxation of private enterprise and individual citizens.\nregulations. They have usurped authorities which rightfully belong to the\nAny broader effort by government to control or directo huge trillion-and-\nStates, and ultimately to the people. Return of power, to the States, as well\na-half dollar economic machine could be a disaster. Government should not\nas strict Conressional oversight of agency compliance with the letter and\nassume the function of the great tinkerer, but can, and should, help pro-\nspirit of the law, are urgently needed to preserve personal liberty, improve\nmote prosperity. It can best do this by not hindering the course of com-\nefficiency, and eliminate waste. We recommend a bipartisan commission\nmerce, by minimizing regulation, by allowing the time-tested laws of sup-\nbe established to review present governmental performance, administra-\nply and demand to work with maximum freedom, by encouraging healthy\ntive costs, proliferating federal programs, redefine national goals and\ncompetition and the enforcement of anti-trust laws that protect the con-\nrecommend legislative revisions to enhance the capability of government\nsumer and fledgling businesses. We believe that solutions to our dual eco-\nto meet the challenges of the coming decade. This recommendation em-\nnomic problems of inflation and recession lie in returning decision-mak-\nphasizes the failure of the Democrat Congress to provide effective over-\ning to the people through the forces of supply and demand in the market-\nsight of federal operations and regulatory agencies to insure that legisla-\nplace. People themselves can best decide what to produce, sell, and buy,\ntive intent is carried out and to determine the need to amend loosely\nand at what price levels. No government agency is as capable of making\nwritten legislation that has created a maze of contradictory and duplica-\nthese decisions as are the people through the voluntary exchange of goods\ntive controls, rules and regulations which hamper business and harass the\nand services. There is already ample machinery within the federal govern-\ncitizen.\nment and in the private sector to protect the consumer from exploitation.\nAs a majority we would dedicate the next Republican Congress to\nWe applaud the Ford Administration's effort to orient existing regulatory\nlegislative oversight--to redirecting the operations of government toward\nand administrative agencies toward consumer protection. We propose that\nefficiency and economy.\nfederal estate and gift tax laws be revised to encourage private ownership\nof small business.\n4. Tax Reform\nThe past four decades have seen Democrat Congresses increase the tax\nburden on the average working American not only through additional taxes\n2. Public Debt\nbut also with the approval of built-in inequities and loopholes. The Demo-\nDuring the past 40 years excessive appropriations by Democrat-con-\ncrats continue to give lip service to meaningful tax reform but produce only\ntrolled Congresses have created massive deficits and forced the federal\nfalse promises which deceive the American taxpayer. The only way to cut\ngovernment to borrow heavily. This competition with the private sector has\nfederal taxes for American wage earners is to reduce total federal expendi-\ncaused interest rates to rise and as a result funds for private capital invest-\ntures. \"Tax gimmicks\" are not a solution but only offer benefits to special\nment which are needed to create new jobs have become scarce and ex-\ninterest groups.\npensive. Massive deficits will rekindle double-digit inflation and prevent\nWe propose that Congress begin work immediately on revision of fed-\nthe expansion of business needed to pull our economy out of the recession.\neral taxation:\nMore inflation will further weaken our economic system, and jeopardize\nto simplify tax preparation\nthe financial security of all Americans. Congress must exercise fiscal re-\nto discourage tax evasion\nstraint, consolidate existing programs, eliminate duplication and waste\nto bring equity to the tax system\nand thereby reduce the volume and expense of government.\nto provide incentives for economic growth.\nThe Budget Committees of the Congress, in conjunction with the Execu-\ntive Branch, must establish spending priorities consistent with federal rev-\n5. Welfare Reform\nenues with a systematic reduction of the public debt. The public debt must\nbe restructured. Trust fund surpluses, which by statute can only be in-\nWe believe that society has the responsibility to assist those who cannot\nvested in government obligations, tend to distort the real picture and\nprovide for themselves. The present welfare system falls far short of this\nshould not be included in considering the overall public debt ceiling. The\ngoal due to mismanagement and abuses. The $5.2 billion Food Stamp Pro-\npresent system of establishing a debt ceiling has become meaningless.\ngram has grown 14,203 percent in the past decade. Recipients have in-\nDebt ceiling increases have been manipulated and irresponsibly used as a\ncreased from 500,000 in 1965 to nearly 20 million, and under present regu-\nvehicle for non-fiscal legislation. We propose that the limit of the public\nlations an estimated 57 million people are eligible. Present law has estab-\ndebt be set concurrently with the adoption of the Federal Budget.\nlished lax eligibility standards allowing persons with adequate incomes to\n8\n9\nparticipate in the program. This massive program has bypassed the real\nDuring the period of 1970-1974, our yearly imports of foreign oil rose\nintent of Congress to provide help only for the needy. We call attention to\nfrom 483 million barrels to 1.2 billion barrels, while during the same. per-\nthe fact that the bill for welfare is mainly borne by the American worker.\niod domestic production fell from 3.5 billion barrels to 3.2 billion barrels\nTo meet its responsibility to the American taxpayer and the truly needy,\nper year. Our nation cannot afford continued dependence on foreign oil.\nCongress must take immediate steps to reform the welfare system. We\nWe propose that Congress provide incentives for exploration\npropose Congressional action:\nand development of more American-owned oil and natural gas.\nto provide adequate living standards for the truly needy\nA full scale effort must be made to develop our oil shale resources.\nto eliminate ineligible recipients from the welfare rolls\nOur nation must develop alternative energy sources. Congress should\nto establish effective regulations to prevent future welfare fraud\nprovide incentives and opportunities to accelerate research, discovery and\ndelivery of untapped resources. Immediate emphasis should be given to\nto strengthen and enforce work requirements\ndevelopment of economical solar energy systems for homes and industry.\nto provide educational and vocational incentives to allow recipi-\nents to become self-supporting\nWe propose that Congress require that new federal structures,\nwhere practical, be heated and cooled with solor systems.\nto increase penalties for welfare fraud to discourage abuses\nto coordinate federal reforms with state and social welfare\nAn essential part of a national energy program must be development of\nall available forms of energy.\nagencies\nto strengthen state and local administrative functions\nWe propose a stepped-up program for coal gasification, geotherm-\nal and nuclear power production.\nto transfer administration of the Food Stamp Program from the\nDepartment of Agriculture to HEW\nA strong program of research and development should be con-\ntinued for the fusion process to unlock the unlimited potential of\nto tighten eligibility requirements for food stamps\nthe hydrogen atom.\n6. Energy\nConservation of energy depends on more efficient utilization by in-\ndustry and individuals.\nThe key to future economic security and a high standard of living for all\nAmericans is a comprehensive national policy that will produce an ade-\nWe propose that Congress provide practical incentives:\nquate supply of energy for an expanding economy.\n1. for conservation of energy by the public\nWe believe the current lack of direction by the Democrat majority in\n2. to increase the utilization of waste materials in energy pro-\nCongress poses grave economic peril for the future. Their single-minded\nduction\nemphasis on unrealistically regulated prices today, fails to lay the ground-\n3. for production by industry of more energy efficient products.\nwork necessary for future expanded energy supplies. Constructuve action\nnow by the Congress could help assure our people and our industries an\n7. Older Americans\nample supply of reasonably priced energy for the years ahead.\nMany older Americans live on relatively fixed, limited incomes and in-\nWe propose that all federal regulations, programs and policies\nflation has hurt them cruelly. The rapidly rising cost of living is caused in\nthat directly affect energy, be reviewed, and ineffective programs\nsubstantial measure by the profligate spending of the federal govern-\nbe eliminated or replaced.\nment. To protect the purchasing power of the income and savings of our\nOur energy challenge must essentially be solved by private industry. We\nolder people we must stop inflation.\nbelieve that unreasonable regulatory and tax policies have hampered de-\nWe believe the federal government must meet its commitments to find-\nvelopment and lessened investment in research, plants and equipment\ning solutions and facilities to help meet their needs. Needed is \"cata-\nneeded for maximum energy production.\nstrophic\" health insurance that will cover the medical needs of those who\nWe propose a windfall profits tax program with a plowback pro-\nexperience long, serious illnesses. We support a nutritional supplement\nvision to encourage reinvestment of energy earnings and elimin-\nsystem and a comprehensive program of nutrition education for needy\nate windfall profits.\nolder citizens. Inadequate housing and transportation must receive our\nundivided attention and affirmative action.\nEnergy development has been hampered by excessive and often friv-\nolous litigation, endless hearings, studies, commissions and reports.\n8. Health Care\nWe propose that Congress' comprehensive energy package pro-\nThere is an urgent need to review federal involvement in health care.\nvide strong legal authority to allow development of natural re-\nNot only government spending, but regulations and guidelines have had\nsources with full recognition of the need to provide safeguards for\ngreat impact on national health care delivery.\nthe protection of the environment.\nUnder our present system, we have one of the best health care delivery\n10\n11\nprograms in the world. There are some gaps that need filling, to assure\nental discipline. We believe in the parents' right to make fundamental de-\nour people the quality of service nationwide that we are capable of pro-\ncisions regarding the care, development and education of their children.\nviding.\nWe believe that our nation needs a National Health Policy, which would\n11. Mentally and Physically Handicapped\nbalance health systems supply and demand with financing. In addition\nThose among us who are handicapped face difficult challenges every\nthere is a need for emphasis on education, environmental improvement,\nday while trying to cope with a physical environment designed for the\nbetter housing and nutritional gains, all of which affect the general health\nactivities of the non-handicapped. We believe that strong efforts should be\nof the American public.\nmade to assist the handicapped to function in our society-to have access to\nA National Health Policy would determine broad goals and priorities for\neducation, medical care, economic security, equal treatment from our in-\nmedical care, preventive practices, and dispersal of facilities to be within\nstitutions, improved transportation and protection from exploitation.\nreach of our people. We believe the present combination of private and\nFederal programs should be reviewed to ensure that all that can be done\npublic health care financing can be extended and improved. The present\nis being done to help the handicapped become more fully integrated into\nsystem suffers from fragmentation, and we believe a National Health\nour social and economic life.\nPolicy should bring together all vital health functions into a practical\nand workable program to provide better health care for all our citizens.\n12. Crime\n9. Social Security-Retirement\nA fundamental responsibility of government is to protect the lives and\nControlling inflation is the most important way to insure the retirement\nproperty of its citizens. We believe the thrust of justice must be to pro-\nsecurity earned by American workers. Congress must give top priority to\ntect the law-abiding citizen against the criminal.\nTo combat crime:\nmaintaining the integrity of the Social Security Trust Funds and must re-\nvise retirement programs to more nearly meet the needs of older Ameri-\nWe support the continuance of federal grants to States, cities and\ncans. Adequate funding that will provide benefits in constant value dollars\ntowns to strengthen local law enforcement.\nshould be assured from a self-adjusting formula of contributions by em-\nWe support court system reform to increase efficiency, eliminate\nployees and employers. Unlimited outside earnings should be allowed\nexcessive case loads, reverse the present practice of \"turnstyle\nwithout benefit penalties.\njustice\" and keep the criminal off the streets.\nAll Americans deserve the opportunity to provide their own additional\nWe support reform of our penal system to correct the failure of\nretirement security. The Individual Retirement Account (IRA) has ex-\nour present policies of punishment and rehabilitation.\ntended this opportunity to an additional segment of our working force. We\nWe support redoubled efforts against the hard drug traffic to ar-\npropose that Congress expand this Keogh-type supplemental retirement\nrest, prosecute and convict pushers-especially those that prey\nplan to make it available to all workers. Our proposal would provide tax\non young boys and girls.\nincentives allowing workers to invest voluntarily in a private retirement\nfund that would supplement both Social Security and company pension\nWe propose Congress enact mandatory minimum sentences for\nplans. In addition to providing greater retirement security, this plan will\npersons convicted of federal crimes involving violence, use of\nprovide investment funds needed to build a stronger American economy\nfirearms, trafficking in hard drugs and habitual offenses.\nand to aid in capital formation.\nPrevention is the long-term solution to crime. Effective crime preven-\ntion depends on strengthening community ties and encouraging individual\n10. Education\nparticipation in community decisions establishing moral and ethical stand-\nWe insist that Congress review, evaluate and consolidate the more than\nards. We recognize, however, that a healthy fear of swift and sure punish-\n400 federal education programs and assign priorities to those that are ef-\nment is not without effectiveness in crime prevention.\nfective. Federal support to reduce financial barriers to students in post-\nsecondary education and to encourage vocational education and job train-\n13. Illegal Aliens\ning, compensatory education for the disadvantaged, and special educa-\ntion for the physically and mentally handicapped should supplement re-\nAn estimated 10 million citizens of foreign countries now live illegally in\nsources provided by state and local programs. Administration of educa-\nthe United States and actively compete with American workers for avail-\ntional programs is the responsibility of state government and local insti-\nable jobs. Congress must insist on enforcement of existing laws which es-\ntutions, and federal intrusion cannot be allowed.\ntablish a legal yearly entry rate, increased border control and more ef-\nWe favor the development of quality day care services, locally con-\nfective apprehension and deportation of people living illegally in the\ntrolled and administered, with the requirement that the recipients of these\nUnited States. Social Security requirements for all workers must be en-\nservices pay their fair share of the costs according to their ability.\nforced and participation by illegal aliens in federally funded welfare pro-\nIn the education and training of children there is no substitute for par-\ngrams must be stopped.\n12\n13\n14. Defense\nThe first, and major, responsibility of government is to provide for the\ncommon defense. Recent world events have demonstrated that until we\ncan safely disarm, we must continue to improve our military capability to\ndefend the United States and honor our commitments to Free World\nNations. A strong military capability is essential to the balance of power on\nwhich our safety rests. To be successful in negotiations with foreign na-\ntions we must deal from a position of strength. Preparedness cannot be a\nsometime policy. Responsibility for the common defense, for maintaining\nour military capability, our honor and commitments, rests with Con-\ngress. We deplore the attitude that the military budget represents a read-\nily available source of federal money which can be diverted to other pro-\ngrams without dangerous consequences. Congress must continue to pro-\nvide adequate funding to sustain volunteer manpower levels, equip our\nforces and conduct vital research and development.\nIt is also the imperative responsibility of Congress to eliminate frills and\nwaste, and to ensure a lean, efficient and mobile military to meet the\nchallenges of the 1970s.\n15. Agriculture\nOverregulation by the government must not be allowed to hamper the\nmost vital and efficient segment of our society--agriculture. Production of\nfood and fiber satisfies not only our domestic needs, but is also the key-\nstone of our export program and our balance of payments. Agriculture pol-\nicies should be designed to operate within the free market system with\nfull recognition of the unique production and marketing problems faced by\nfarmers and ranchers. In addition applicable federal estate and gift tax\nprovisions should be reviewed and reformed in order to preserve the abil-\nity of families to retain ownership of farm land.\n14\nA program prepared by Republican Members of the U.S. House of Representatives\nand printed by the Republican National Committee\nB\nGENERAL COMMENTS\nPhil Buchen states:\nWe have made a cursory review of the program submitted by the\nRepublican Congressional leadership and do not perceive any\nsubstantial initiatives which merit consideration by the President.\nHowever, it might be appropriate to request an OMB analysis of the\nagenda for our further review.\nJim Cannon states:\nIn essence, the program presented encompasses general statements\nof principles on 15 areas. They are generally positive statements\nwithout many specifics. In almost all cases, they reflect Adminis-\ntration policy in a general sense.\nOMB states:\nTwo general suggestions are below:\nFORD LIBRARY\n1. You might suggest that the legislative program outlined permit\ngreater flexibility to recognize later Administration initiatives. At\nthe tope of page three, there is a statement that 11\nit would be\nnecessary for us to forego additional programs\n\"\nwithin three\nyears so as to balance the budget. This sentence may be too\ncategorical because the GOP leadership might choose to accept some\nideas for initiatives at a later date.\nSimilarly, the statement in the second paragraph on page four\nindicates a belief \"that energy independence should be reached mainly\nthrough the efforts of private enterprise. 11 This statement appears\nto conflict with the Administration initiative for an Energy Independence\nAuthority and you might wih to suggest that the statement be dropped.\n2. Statements for two of the programs outlined pose a dilemma.\nThe \"Tax Reform\" program (4) refers to the \"the tax burden on the\naverage working Ameri can\" and proposes tax revision \"to bring equity\nto the tax system. 11\nThe Program outlined for \"Social Security - Retirement\" (9) urges\nassurance of \"adequate funding that will provide benefits in constant\nvalue dollars\nfrom a self-adjusting formula of contributions by\nemployees and employers. \" Of course, such a \"self-adjusting formula\"\nwill almost certainly impose higher taxes on the worker.\nBill Seidman states:\nThe thrust of the economic proposals outlined in the \"Republican\nLegislative Agenda: A Program for Progress\" mirror the Adminis-\ntration's basic economic policies including:\nReliance on competition in the private sector as the\nsource of dynamic economic growth\nRejection of appeals for a governmentally controlled\nor planned economy and attempts to fine tune the economy\nFiscal restraint while reducing governmental duplication\nand waste.\nTax reform which simplifies the tax system while providing\nequity and incentives for economic growth.\nThe economic portions of the paper are a useful statement of general\nprinciples. They do not primarily offer specific programmatic\nsuggestions.\nBrent Scowcroft states:\nWith the exception of the one section on the Defense budget (14), the\nAgenda makes no mention of the world leadership role of the United\nStates and the Administration's conduct of a global foreign policy\nseeking international stability and progress. There is no mention\nof the Administration's efforts to strengthen our traditional ties and\nalliances with the industrialized democracies, the Atlantic community\nand Japan, as well as our new dialogue within the Western Hemisphere,\nour efforts to reduce tensions with our adversaries, and our work to\ncontain regional conflicts in such critical areas as the Middle East and\nKorea. The Agenda also contains no description of the substantial\ninitiatives undertaken by this Administration in the international\neconomic, energy, and food areas and such specialized initiatives\nas our efforts to achieve cooperation in the proliferation of nuclear\nenergy. We believe that the very positive proposals for a constructive\nrelationship between the developed and developing nations contained in\nSecretary Kissinger's September 1 speech to the UN Special Session\nwarrant an entire section in any future versions of such an Agenda.\n#1 PRIVATE\nENTERPRISE\n1 --\nPRIVATE ENTERPRISE\n11 W.e believe that at this time in our history it is essential the role\nof government be diminished and emphasis placed on encouragement\nof individual enterprise. 11\nComments:\nJim Cannon states:\nThis is a major and pervasive theme of the President's current policy\nreflected in almost every policy initiative. These include regulatory\nreform and the $28 billion budget reduction and tax reform package.\nBill Seidman states:\nThis section of the paper proposes revision of federal estate and gift\ntax laws to encourage private ownership of small businesses. I am\nasking the Department of the Treasury to prepare papers on this\nissue for consideration by the Economic Policy Board.\nOMB states:\nAnti-trust should protect competition not competitors.\nGERALD B.FORO LIBRARY\n#2 PUBLIC DEBT\n2 -- PUBLIC DEBT\n\"We recognize the fact that the transition from a deficit of $80\nbillion to a balance between revenue and expenditure in one year,\nalthough desirable, is not feasible. We would expect to effect it\nwithin three years. 11\nComments:\nJim Cannon states:\nThis is supportive of the President's position. They place emphasis\non consolidation, and this is currently a major thrust of the program\ninitiatives being developed by the Domestic Council. We are particularly\nfocusing on approaches which will give greater flexibility to state and local\ngovernment and reduce federal red tape.\nBill Sediman states:\nThe paper proposes establishing the limit of the public debt concurrently\nwith adoption of the Federal budget. I am asking the Department of the\nTreasury to prepare papers on this issue for consideration by the\nEconomic Policy Board.\nGLRALD FORD LIBRARY\n#3 GOVERNMENT REFORM\ne\n3 - - GOVERNMENT REFORM\n\"We believe commission should be established to study the operations\nof our government departments and agencies and recommend necessary\nreform. 11\nComments:\nJim Cannon states:\nThis is an interesting concept which has been considered as a possible\nelement of the State of the Union message. At this point we have held\nback on it because we believe that \"study commissions\" can be viewed\nas a \"non-leadership\" approach to avoiding issues. A sub-head to this\nitem was a comment on a need for a national transportation policy.\nThis has been the subject of some attention. Secretary Coleman has\nsurfaced one version of such a plan.\nBill Seidman states:\nEstablishment of such a Commission might be useful in connection\nwith the President's spending restraint initiative. Restructuring\ngovernment programs and combining them as opposed to merely reducing\nthe size of existing programs is a useful approach to reducing federal\nexpenditur es and a bipartisan Commission might make a signficant\ncontribution in this effort.\nOMB states:\nDonot think this is a good idea.\nGERALD\n#4\nTAX REFORM\n4 -- TAX REFORM\n\"We propose that Congress begin work immediately on a revision\nof federal taxation to simplify tax preparation, to discourage tax\nevasion, to bring equity to the tax system and to provide incentives\nfor economic growth. 11\nComments:\nJim Cannon states:\nThese principles are solid ones which coincide with the general\nemphasis of the President's proposal.\nGESRLO TORD LIBRARY\n#5 WELFARE REFORM\n#5 -- WELFARE REFORM\n11\nCongress must take immediate steps to reform the welfare\nsystem. 11\nComments:\nGERALE FORD LIBRARY\nJim Cannon states:\nThe Agenda presents a detailed description of the Food Stamp reform\nproposal in the Michel-Buckley Bill. The President's bill reflects\nalmost entirely the recommendations in this package.\nOMB states:\nHEW is working closely with the States in its quality control program\nto improve State and local administration to find, eliminate, and prevent\nerrors in payments and eligibility determination. The recently enacted\nTitle IV-D program under the Social Security Act will aid in obtaining\nchild support from those legally liable for it and thereby reduce welfare\ncosts.\nIn response to the increase in Federal reimbursements for State\nAdministrative costs from 62-1/2% of some to 50% of all mandated\nunder P.L. 93-347, USDA has recently implemented effectiveness and\nefficiency regulations which require States to maintain restricted tolerance\nlevels for eligibility errors.\nWe have recommended legislation to amend the Food Stamp Act to provide\nan enforceable remedy against program violations. The proposed\nlegislation would also require States to correct procedural erros, and,\nprescribe criminal action in U.S. District court for serious program\noffenses. USDA has submitted legislation in response to Senate Resolution\n58 which, among other things, would tighten State accountabioity and\nincrease penalties for fraud.\nUSDA in response to Senate Resolution 58 has proposed legislation to\namend the Food Stamp list to:\n- clarify that illegal and temporarily present aliens\nare not eligible for Food Stamp participation;\n- delete Section 3 (e) and eliminate addicts and\nalcoholics in the definition of eligibility due to\ndifficulties in administering the Food Stamp\nprogram in an institutionalized setting; and,\n- amend current law to make the tax dependency\nprohibition currently in appropriations language\na permanent part of the Food Stamp Act.\nTransfer Food Stamps to HEW has been discussed in recent Food\nStamp reform proposals (i.e. H.R. 8145, S-1193. While there are\napparently some difficulties contemplated in such a transfer, a Domestic\nCouncil task force is considering a comprehensive reform of the program)\nThe Administration has proposed legislation to improve the child support\nprovisions of current law and make consistent the AFDC matching rate\nfor all States. The Allied Services bill has also been proposed to enable\nStates to better coordinate and rationalize the delivery of Services to\ntheir citizens.\nENERRY 9#\n.\n#6 -- ENERGY\n\"The key to future economic security and a high standard of living\nfor all Americans is a comprehensive national policy that will produce\nan adequate supply of energy for an expanding economy. \"\nComments:\nJim Cannon states:\nThis is reflective in general of the Administration's approach. It\ndoes not endorse the Energy Independence Authority nor does it reflect\na belief that conservation will require higher prices.\nFrank Zarb states:\nA key principle of the agenda is the need to forego additional Federal\nprograms financed through the public sector. Further, it stresses that\nthe direct Federal role in energy should be limited to research and\ndevelopment. These provisions appear to be in conflict with the\nproposed Energy Independence Authority.\nThe agenda suggests that a full-scale effort be made to develop oil\nshale, but does not address how to do this without Federal financial\nsupport.\nOMB states:\nComprehensive Energy Package -- The President did have what was\nlabeled a comprehensive energy package early in 1975. With particular\nreference to developing natural resources, the President made recommendations\nto the Congress which enacted a strip mine bill unacceptable to the President\nand it was vetoed earlier this year (H. R. 25). The issue will be raised with\nthe President shortly as to whether he wants to try for another bill in the\nnext session of the Congress considering that States currently have regulatory\nauthority. Suggest we emphasize the broad objectives of the comprehensive\nenergy package.\nOMB further states on Energy:\nIncentives for Oil and Gas Exploration and Development\nThe President's proposal for deregulation of oil and natural gas prices\nis meant to provide incentives for exploration and development. We\nbeli eve that any further incentives, especially in the form of subsidies,\nare unnecessary and should not be provided. The market place should\nprovide adequate incentives in the form of profits.\nOil Shale Development\nWe, as a Nation, are probably going as fast as we can on oil shale\ndevelopment. The Interior Department has leased public lands for this\npurpose on a trial basis and is contemplating further leases. The\nAdministration's synthetic fuels package will provide some financial\nassistance for demonstr ation projects. Any further developments\nshould be dependent on the economic competitiveness of il shale versus\nother energy resources.\nEconomical Solar Energy and Federal Buildings\nThe Administration has not proposed that new Federal buildings should\nbe heated or cooled with solar systems. Unless they are economically\ncompetitive with standard heating and cooling. except perhaps for a few\ndeomonstations, would the Administration support this? Also, we have\na balanced R&D program and solar should not receive immediate\nemphasis.\nGeothermal Production and Coal Gasification\nSuggest delete reference to coalgasification and substitute \"The President\nhas proposed, and is very close to launching, a Synthetic Fuels\nCommercialization Demonstration program with the objective of producing\n350, 000 barrels per day by 1985, with the potential in 1978-80 of accelerating\nthe program to achieve 1 million barrels in 1985. Final Congressional\nauthorization is pending. \"\nThe Federal assistance for coal gasification should not go beyond the\ndemonstration phase included in the Administrations synthetic fuels package.\nFurther, geothermal energy is limited and is not expected to provide a\nsignificant portion of future energy demands. Nor can utilization of\nwaste materials provide a significant source of energy.\n#7 OLDER AMERICANS\n7 - - OLDER AMERICANS\n\"To protect the purchasing power of the income savings of our\nolder people, we must stop inflation. We believe the Federal\ngovernment must meet its commitments in finding solutions and\nfacilities to help meet their needs. Needed is catastrophic medical\ninsurance that will cover the medical needs of those who experience\nlong illnesses. We support a nutritional supplement system and a\ncomprehensive program of nutrition education for needy older\ncitizens. Inadequate housing and transportation must receive our\nundivided attention and affirmative action.\"\nComments:\nLIBRARY\nJim Cannon states:\nThe President's economic program is designed to acheive economic\nrecovery without overly stimulating inflation. The Domestic Council\nis currently working on various health insurance proposals for the\nPresident to review later this fall. Additionally, a comprehensive\nreview of the needs of the elderly and of the impact of existing Federal\nprograms on the elderly is underway.\nOMB states:\nRe: \"catastrophic\" health insurance -\nWhat we are doing -- The Administration has proposed separate\nlimits of $750 in Medicare's Hospital Insurance and Supplementary\nMedical Insurance programs, as part of an increased cost-sharing\nto reduce unnecessary utilization of health services.\nItems for Consideration as Initiatives\nLimit physician fees and\nreimbursements to hospitals to amounts approved by States, not to\nexceed 5% of the previous year's level.\nOMB states:\nRe: \"nutritional supplement system\"\nWhat are we doing -- At present, the Federal government supports a\nwide array of programs providing foostuffs, meals in a congregate\nsetting, \"meals on wheels\", consumer education, and needed ancillary\nservices to our older citizens. Funds are made available to the States\nvia: Food stamps and the Surplus Commodities programs of the Dept.\nof Agriculture; as well as the Department of Health, Education, and\nWelfare administed Title XX (Social Security Act), Nutrition Program\nfor the Elderly, Grants for State and Community Programs for the\nAging, Model Projects, and other programs provided by the Older\nAmericans Act.\n#8 HEALTH CARE\n8 -- HEALTH CARE\n\"There is an urgent need to review Federal involvement in health\ncare. Not only government spending but also regulations and\nguidelines have had great impact on national health care delivery. 11\nComments:\nJim Cannon states:\nLIBRARY\nThis is being reviewed in connection with the Domestic Council's\nwork related tonext year's State of the Union and legislative program.\nOMB states:\nThe Domestic Council is conducting hearings across the Nation on\nhealth and social program needs, alternatives, and priorities. In the\nprocess of developing the President's 1977 Budget, these programs\nand policy issues will be reviewed.\nOMB further stated that the following items be considered as Initiatives:\n-- a study by the proposed Task Force of the relationship\nbetween traditional health programs and spending on\nhealth status; and\n- - an analysis by the proposed Task Force of the appropriate\nFederal role in health in terms of financing, program\nconsolidation, resource development, planning, and\nregulations.\n# 9 SOCIAL SECURITY\n-- RETIREMENT\n9 - SOCIAL SECURITY - RETIREMENT\n\"Congress must give top priority to mantaining the integrity of\nSocial Security trust funds and must revise retir ement programs to\nmore nearly meet the needs of older Americans. We propose that\nCongress expand Keogh-type supplement retirement plan to make it\navailable to all workers. Our proposal would provide tax incentives\nto allow workers to invest voluntarily in a private retirement fund\nthat would supplement both Social Security and company pension\nplans. 11\nTURO\nComments:\nLIBRARY\nJim Cannon states:\nAt the President's direction, the Domestic Council is studying the\nshort term and long term financing problems of Social Security and\nis developing various proposals to meet such problems. An initial\npaper on the short term financing problems was recently presented\nto the Economic Policy Board. It is anticipated that a paper for the\nPresident's review and decision will be ready by mid-December.\nOMB states:\nRe Social Security: The Domestic Council is leading a comprehensive\nstudy of Social Security financing, including the tax rate and tax base,\nas well as structural changes in the program. The Administration\ndoes not believe removal of the retirement test, at a multi-billion\ncost, is wise at this time until the Congress has had a chance to\nconsider the forthcoming Administration proposals on Social Security\nfinancing and program changes.\nRe Retirement Security: The Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation\n(PBGC) under Title IV of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act\n(ERISA) provides advice and assistance to individuals on the economic\ndesirability of establishing individual retirement accounts. The\nadministration originally proposed the extension of IRA's to all workers.\nThis was rejected by the Congress. A serious concern if this proposal\nwere renewed is the revenue loss.\nBill Seidman states:\nThe agenda recommends the expansion of the Individual Retirement\nAccount (IRA) plan to make it available to all workers. The IRA was\noriginally a Treasury initiative and its expansion merits careful\nconsideration. I am asking the Department of the Treasury to prepare\npapers on this issue for consideration by the Economic Policy Board.\n#10 EDUCATION\n10 -- EDUCATION\n\"We insist that Congress review, evaluate and consolidate the more\nthan 400 federal education programs and assign priorities to those\nthat are effective. Federal support to reduce financial barriers to\nstudents in post-secondary education and to encour age vocational\neducation and job traning, compensatory education for the disadvantaged\nand special education for the physically and mentally handicapped should\nsupplement resour ces provided by state and local programs. Adminis-\ntration of educational programs is the responsibility of state government\nand local institutions, and federal intrusion cannot be allowed.\n11 We favor the development of quality day care services, locally\ncontrolled and administered, with the requirement that the recipients\nof these services pay their fair share of the costs according to their\nability.\"\nLIBRARY\nComments:\nJim Cannon states:\nA Domestic Council review group is currently reviewing all of the\nfederal government education programs with a view toward presenting\nthe President with a series of grant consolidation proposals for his\ndecision by early December. We also believe that quality day-care\nservices are esesentially a local responsibility.\nOMB states:\nThe Education Amendments of 1974 provided for the consolidation of\nseveral categorical grant programs into two broad funding areas with\nless strings attached to the funds. In addition, the FY 1976 President's\nBudget requested $1. 9 billion for the education of the disadvantaged;\nproviding an average of nearly $300 per eligible child. Finally,\ncontinued emphasis is being placed upon the targeting of student aid to\nneedy students.\nThe Administration's efforts in the area of day care as administered\nby the office of Child Development are to assist in the formulation of\npolicies and the development of performance standards and licensing\nrequirement. Further, the office provides technical assistance to\nStates and localities, initiates research and demonstration projects in\nthe area of day care.\nThe Administration will soon submit a higher education legislative\nproposal to the Congress that will emphasize the further targeting of\naid to needy students.\nOMB further states regarding quality day care services:\nThe recently enacted Title XX social services program under the\nSocial Security Act requires adherence to stringent day care\nstandards as a condition of receiving Federal social services day\nfunding. Under Title XX, HEW pays 75% of the cost of day care\nservices for needy persons.\nThe Administration has recently proposed legislation to amend Title XX\nof the Social Security Act to encourage the States to improve day care\nservices and which would at the time, prevent the termination of needed\nservices that might result under certain of the more severe punitive\nprovisions existing under Title XX.\n#11 MENTALLY AND\nPHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED\n11 -- MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED\n\"Those among us who are handicapped face difficult challenges every\nday while trying to cope with a physical environment designed for the\nactivities of the non-handicapped. We believe that strong efforts should\nbe made to assist the handicapped to function in our society--to have\naccess to education, medical care, economic security, equal treatment\nfrom our institutions, improved transportation and protection from\nexploitation. \"\nComments:\nJim Cannon states:\nWe concur with this assessment. The President will shortly announce\nhis plans to convene a White House Conference on the Handicapped which\nwill review the various programs.\nOMB states:\nWe are presently doing:\n1) President has decided to call a White House Conference on Handicapped\nIndividuals in December 1976 to develop recommendations and stimulate\na national assessment of problems and solutions to such problems\nfacing individuals with handicaps. The Congressional Appropriations\nCommittees have recently approved the use of funds to commence\nplanning.\n2) The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program provides an income\nfloor for aged, blind, and disabled individuals with funds made\navailable for vocational rehabilitation via Disability Insurance and\nSSI set-a-sides.\n3) The Urban Institute estimates that $21. 5 billion was dedicated to\nassist the severely disabled in FY 1973.\n4) Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (P. L. 93-112)\nprovide for affirmative action in employing the handicapped under\nFederal contracts, as well as, non-discrimination under Federal\ngrants.\n#12 CRIME\n12 -- CRIME\n\"A fundamental responsibility of government is to protect the lives\nand property of its citizens. We believe the thrust of justice must\nbe to protect the law-abiding citizen against the criminal. To combat\ncrime:\n\"We support the continuance of federal grants to states, cities and\ntowns to strengthen local law enforcement.\n\"We support court system reform to increase efficiency, eliminate\nexcessive case loads, reverse the present practice of 'turnstyle justice'\nand keep the criminal off the streets.\n\"We support redoubled efforts against the hard drug traffice to arrest,\nprosecute and convict pushers -- especially those that prey on young\nboys and girls.\n\"We propose Congress enact mandatory minimum sentences for persons\nconvicted of federal crimes involving violence, use of firearms,\ntrafficking in hard drugs and habitual offenses.\"\nComments:\nJim Cannon states:\nWe strongly agree with the crime proposal, which follows almost\nprecisely the President's special message to the Congress on crime,\nas well as the recommendation of the Domestic Council drug abuse\ntask force that efforts should be redoubled against hard drug traffic.\nOMB states:\nNeed to reaffirm that this is mostly a state responsibility.\n#13 ILLEGAL ALIENS\n13 -- ILLEGAL ALIENS\n\"An estimated 10 million citizens of foreign countries now live\nillegally in the United States and actively compete with American\nworkers for available jobs. Congress must insist on enforcement\nof existing laws which establish a legal yearly entry rate, increased\nborder control and more effective apprehension and deportation of\npeople living illegally in the United States. 11\nComments:\nJim Cannon states:\nWe concur with this recommendation. The President has asked the\nDomestic Council to review with the Attorney General the illegal\naliens problem. A report is currently being developed by the Attorney\nGeneral and the Secretary of Labor for the President with a series\nof recommendations.\nOMB states:\nRegarding the following excerpt from the Agenda \"Social Security\nrequirements for all workers must be enforced and participation by\nillegal aliens in Federally funded welfare programs must be stopped. 11\nthe following is what we are doing:\nSocial security requirements on workers are being enforced, and the\nquality control effort in AFDC and the undetermination effort in SSI\nare designed to weed out all ineligibles, including illegal aliens.\nThe USDA response to Senate Resolution 58 contains administrative\nrecommendations which would clarify that illegal and temporarily\npresent aliens are not eligible for Food Stamp participation. The\nAdministration also supports H.R. 982, which would assess financial\npenalties on domestic employers who employ illegal aliens.\nHEW is working closely with the States in its quality control program\nto detect errors, especially the inclusion of ineligible persons on the\nrolls so that they may be removed as quickly as possible, and to\nimprove State procedures in order to sift ineligible applicants from\nbeing approved for welfare assistance.\nBrent Scowcroft states:\nWith regard to the section on illegal aliens, which is essentially\na domestic law enforcement issue, we would raise a note of caution\nthat implementation of such programs should be handled in a way\nthat avoids an undue adverse impact on our relations with other\ncountries, particularly Mexico.\n#14 DEFENSE\n#14 -- DEFENSE\n\"The first, and major, responsibility of government is to provide for\nthe common defense. Recent world events have demonstrated that\nuntil we can safely disarm, we must continue to improve our military\ncapability to defend the United States and honor our commitments to\nfree-world nations. A strong military is essential to the balance of\npower on which our safety rests\nCongress must continue to provide\nadequate funding to sustain volunteer manpower levels, equip our\nforces and conduct vital research and development.\nFORD\n\"It is also the imperative responsibility of Congress to eliminate\nfrills and waste and to ensure a lean, efficient and mobile military\nto meet the challenges of the 1970's. 11\nComments:\nBrent Scowcroft states:\nWe are pleased to see the agenda's emphasis on maintaining a strong\nU.S. defense capability and its deploring of existing attitudes that\nregard the defense budget as a ready source of funds for domestic\nprograms. This is an important theme, one which the President and\nAdministration spokesmen have reiterated frequently in the past\nmonths. While the Agenda refers to disarmament as a vague future\nhope, it unfortunately does not mention the many constructive Adminis- -\ntration arms control initiatives.\n#15 AGRICULTURE\n15 -- AGRICULTURE\n\"Overregulation by the government must not be allowed to hamper the\nmost vital and efficient segment of our society--agriculture Production\nof food and fiber satisfies not only our domestic needs, but is also\nthe keystone of our export program and our balance of payments.\nAgriculture policies should be designed to operate within the free\nmarket system with full recognition of the unique production and\nmarketing problems faced by farmers and ranchers. In addition,\napplicable federal estate and gift tax provisions should be reviewed\nand reformed in order to preserve the ability of families to retain\nownership of farm land. 11\nComments:\nJim Cannon states:\nThe President's current positions generally support the Program\nfor Progress proposal."
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