Ask the Scholar
Document scope · 1 page
Scholar
Ask about this object, its catalog metadata, its source description, or the page inventory.
For page-specific OCR and visual context, open one of the page chats.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
118569604
label
Senior Staff Meetings 1981 (1)
core
doc
dtoType
document
citationUrl
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
118569604
contentType
document
title
Senior Staff Meetings 1981 (1)
citationUrl
identifierLocal
137
collections
Records of the White House Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff (Reagan Administration)
Michael Deaver's Senior Staff Meeting Files
thumbnailUrl
largeImageUrl
imageCount
1
hasImages
yes
source
import
hasTranscription
no
Source extras
naId
118569604
coverageEndDate
logicalDate
1985-12-31
year
1985
coverageStartDate
logicalDate
1981-01-01
year
1981
levelOfDescription
fileUnit
recordType
description
ocrSource
nara-archive
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
document
mediaId
93aa4d3cac42ca8e
ocrText
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
Digital Library Collections
This is a PDF of a folder from our textual
collections.
Collection: Deaver, Michael
Folder Title: Senior Staff Meetings 1981
(1)
Box: 30
To see more digitized collections
visit: https://reaganlibrary.gov/archives/digital-library
To see all Ronald Reagan Presidential Library inventories
visit: https://reaganlibrary.gov/document-collection
Contact a reference archivist at: [email protected]
Citation Guidelines: https://reaganlibrary.gov/citing
National Archives
Catalogue: https://catalog.archives.gov/
Deaner
SENIOR STAFF MEETING ACTION ITEMS (3/20/81)
1. Khachigian/Gergen to get together on speech for CPAC.
2. If Javits affirmative on Ambassadorship (Geneva), announcement
should be made after discussion with President from Oval Office.
3. Gergen/Harper meeting today to develop action/communications
plan on fraud and waste and improving government efficiency.
Canzeri to put Elmer Staats on schedule for meeting with
President on fraud and waste. This should be included in
communications plan.
4. Evans and Novak interview for book. No need for special
preparations.
5. Harper reports two more EPA regulations on bubble concept
coming up (of particular interest to New Jersey).
6. There is no change in Administration position on EDA grants.
Post story incorrect. EDA grants in pipeline being processed;
no new grants.
7. Harper to check on status of legislation for aviation user tax.
8. Harper/Allen to meet after meeting on question of USG
management for space.
9. Williamson to talk to Pierce on UDAGs before moving to set
up Community Development Task Force.
10. We should back the Budget Committee on the issue of funding
of the strategic petroleum reserve.
11. James to provide report of how many agencies still without
heads.
Set-up follow
this - you heep.
SENIOR STAFF MEETING ACTION ITEMS (3/16/81)
1.
American Legion visit with President added to today's
schedule 11:30-45.
2.
Friedersdorf/Harper to arrange for Baker/Meese to meet
with Jack Brooks tomorrow on extension of reorganization
authority. Harper reports Roth agreeable to extension.
Brooks may be a problem, but unlikely to deny extension
of some sort.
3. Anderson to prepare paper for President on social security
indexing for his meeting with 15 GOP legislators tomorrow.
Policy remains one of not tampering with indexing formulae
in safety net programs while economic package pending before
Congress. Rivlin (CBO) advocating changes in COLA.
4. On President's meeting with leadership, Friedersdorf to ask
change in agenda to concentrate on economic package and
reorganization authority. We will request that the foreign
policy items (El Salvador, Poland, F-15s) be deleted, although
we are prepared to brief the leadership on these items from here.
5. Issue of legislative veto and separating out eight independent
agencies will be put on next Cabinet agenda. Meese suggestion
that Jim Miller (OMB) be the one to testify on this issue.
6. Fuller to check on press report that GSA will buy 5,000
Datsuns and report back.
7. Allen to call Phyllis Schafly to tell her that we will take
care of her problem with Solicitor General including women's
lib rhetoric in case concerning draft.
8. Fielding still hasn't heard back from Schmults as to whether
there is Chief Justice/RR Administration deal to keep Solicitor
General through court term.
9. Fuller reports Justice position on cotton dust and lead
standards regulation case back on track.
10. Ursomarso will have speakers kit available tomorrow.
11.
Anderson/Harper to develop position on civil rights policy,
including a position for testimony on voting rights act
within two weeks. OMB has ideas on how to make more effective
use of enforcement capability.
-2-
12.
Meese to listen to Governor of Puerto Rico on impact of
economic package. No decision on whether to make special
arrangements for Puerto Rico.
13.
Harper to assure necessary arrangements for Stockman to
meet with Koch (Presidential commitment). .
14.
State position on continuing Nicaraguan aid coming through
NSC system. Agreed that we will need Presidential decision
on this.
Deaver
SENIOR STAFF MEETING ACTION ITEMS (3/18/81)
1. Friedersdorf/Nofziger and others to work on 8 Republican
Senators who may vote against Administration position on
dairy price supports (Abdnor, Andrews, Boschwitz, Pressler,
Stafford, Durenberger, Grassley, Kasten).
2. Press guidance on Auto Task Force report: options not decision.
3. Thursday Cabinet meeting action item: appointment Chairman
Housing Commission; discussion items: status economic package
selling, report on FRCs, report by Meese on critical issues,
departmental public affairs guidance.
4.
Harper/Friedersdorf to work together on procedure for assuring
appropriate scheduling of legislation going to Hill to be
sure that (i) Congress apprised in advance and (ii) Administration
legislative proposals move forward in accordance with a
reasonable plan.
-- Noted that block grant legislation will be ready in
next two weeks; need to review this substantively in
advance and be sure that relevant Congressional
committees and leadership prepared for its transmittal.
5. Fielding has action on scheduling meeting with Meese, AG
and others (not later than next Monday) to go over
(i) litigation schedule, (ii) Solicitor General's positions
in litigation, and (iii) procedures for appointment of
U.S. Attorneys and Federal Judges. Fielding has reviewed
MOU between AG and Chief Justice which agrees to Solicitor
General staying on full time until 4/30, and then continuing
in some capacity until June.
6. Harper has talked to DOE about keeping Economic Regulatory
Administration under control. No new enforcement actions
without approval of Under Secretary. Harper will keep us
informed.
7. Williamson to take action on Puerto Rican issues (particularly
impact of block grant approach), talk to relevant Puerto
Rican parties of interest (Governor, President of Senate,
Mayor of San Juan...). Harper to take close look at block
grant legislation from point of view of Puerto Rico; need
to be sure no inequity. Meese will discuss separately
question of how to deal with independence movement (FBI).
-2-
8. Harper to look at specs for trucks proposed to be
procured by DOD to be sure they don't prejudice
purchase of American trucks. Agreed not to change
GSA purchase (for Park and Agricultural Services)
of 450 Chevrolet Luvs made in Japan. U.S. obligations
under MTN procurement code noted.
9. Press guidance on possible coal strike remains referral
to Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. Ken
Cribb having briefing on this at 10:30 a.m. today.
Schleede memo noted. Agreed that this item should be
raised again at tomorrow's Senior Staff meeting and
that Presidential talking points should be prepared
for Thursday's Cabinet meeting.
10. Cribb to look into issue of reported GSA parking fee
scandal.
Deaver
SENIOR STAFF MEETING ACTION ITEMS (3/23/81)
1. Gergen has action on news calendar:
-- Materials for retrospective interview with
Washington Post Friday to be in by Wednesday.
-- Assuming victory in Senate on reconciliation
bill, need to play this up as Presidential
victory.
2. A new series of regulatory reform measures will be
forthcoming from the Vice President's Task Force on
Thursday.
3. Anderson/Allen/Hodsoll to get together after Senior Staff
on Lungren bill.
4. Darman/Harper/Anderson/Baker/Meese to meet in Meese's
office at 11:30 on fraud and waste.
5. Anderson to contact Baldrige regarding Commerce decision
to impose countervailing duties on leather exports from
Mexico. If Commerce has no discretion and must move
forward, we should communicate in advance of the decision
to Mexico. We should postpone countervailing duties if
we possibly can.
SENIOR STAFF MEETING ACTION ITEMS (3/24/81)
1. Rich Bond to provide Vice President's block schedule to
Nofziger/Dole/Friedersdorf/Ursamorso/Brady/Deaver/Fuller/
Darman for consideration of plugging economic package.
2. Friedersdorf/Deaver will arrange times on President's schedule
this week for Conable (one-on-one) and for other GOP members
Ways and Means.
3. Fuller will assure Cabinet informed (probably at next meeting)
of need to fight reinstatement of funds.
4. Howard Baker will talk to Zorinsky and Jepson regarding
amendments to grain price supports bill. Committee vote at
2:30 p.m. today; Friedersdorf expects (better than 50-50)
amendements will be defeated on Senate floor.
5. Re meeting with Ito - President should lead with subjects
other than autos.
6. Agreed that should consult with concerned Jewish leaders in
small groups regarding future AWAC sales to Saudis. Allen
notes AWAC sale could be used as club to defeat F-15 enhance-
ment package. No action assignment made: suggest Dole/
Gergen/Allen concert on plan.
7. Agreed that OMB will change Federal procurement specifications
to permit purchase of half-ton, as opposed to quarter-ton,
trucks.
8.
Waste and fraud schedule outline:
-- Memo on curbing excess PR materials will go out tomorrow.
-- The revised Executive Order on the Council on Integrity
and Efficiency in Government will be released on
Thursday.
-- Reappointment of some of the IGs will be announced
by the end of the week.
-- There will be hearings next week on improved measures
of USG debt collection.
-- We will be announcing other IG appointments shortly
thereafter.
9. There remains a question as to who is responsible for the
Law Enforcement Assistance Administration -- OMB or Justice.
cleaner
SENIOR STAFF MEETING ACTIONS ITEMS (3/25/81)
1. Deaver/Friedersdorf to make sure that Conable (one-on-one)
and other GOP Ways and Means Congressmen are put on
President's schedule this week.
2. Dole/Allen/Gergen will prepare plan for consultation with
Jewish leaders on AWACs.
3. DOC looking into countervailing duties on Mexican leather;
have delayed imposition slightly; will see if have to go
ahead with this.
4. Nofziger/James/Harper to meet with Deaver this afternoon
on appointments of IGs. Problems to be resolved today.
Issue is: Administrator/CPAs VS. private investigators.
5. Nofziger/Gergen/Garrick to pull together fact sheet on
excess USG PR materials; we will delay release of Presidential
memo until tomorrow so that story can go with examples.
Deaner
SENIOR STAFF MEETING ACTIONS ITEMS (3/26/81)
1. Interested Senior Staff will go over waste and fraud
initiative package after staff meeting with Darman.
FBI Chief Webster may come over to participate in press
briefing.
2. Khachigian will circulate Building Trade Association speech
to relevant Senior Staff tomorrow. Coordination taking
place with Labor.
3. Baker will get summary of women/Blacks/Hispanics hired by
Reagan Administration to President before POST interview.
4. Suggestions for a special representative of President for
Australia-America Week to Allen by noon. Williamson to
make inputs. Deaver suggests Joseph Coors.
5. Anderson/Fielding to prepare paper on Special Commission on
Hawaii for consideration by Senior Staff.
6. Gergen has action on WASHINGTON POST interview preparations.
7. Dole working on economic package materials tailored towards
Blacks.
8. Conable to visit with VP while here today to meet with
President.
Deainer
SENIOR STAFF MEETING ACTIONS ITEMS (3/27/81)
1. Nofziger to pull together list of appointees whose swearing-in
the President might attend for political purposes (e.g.,
women, Hispanics, Blacks).
2. Dole to submit recommendation early next week on whether to
cancel (for budget reasons) the Conference on Children and
Youth.
3. The report on the auto industry will be delayed from Tuesday/
Wednesday to Thursday of next week. Anderson, OMB waste
fighters, and Miller's anti-regulation team should review
the report. Draft of report should be at White House Tuesday,
3/31.
4. OMB letter to Fauntroy on Congressional Black Caucus resolution
(re budget) will be coordinated with Speakers-to-Blacks program.
Dole indicated we have no one recruiting Blacks. Deaver to
speak with Dole on this.
5. Harper noted that audio-visual waste report will be delayed
until Tuesday, 3/31 to incorporate accomplishments to date
at EPA.
6. Allen/Anderson will seek further delay (until after Mexican
trip) of countervailing duties on Mexican leather.
7. Deaver will receive additional suggested names for President's
representative for Australia-America Week. President had
noted ability to handle heavy speaking engagements should be
taken into consideration in selection of candidate.
SENIOR STAFF MEETING ACTION ITEMS (3/30/81)
1. White House staff seeking to use residence for social
events should check with McCoy before scheduling.
2. Draft speech for Illinois trip (Wednesday) sent to President
last Friday.
3. Uhlmann (OPD) and Horowitz (OMB) to work on position regarding
Legal Services Corporation. Harper to get budget session
sheets to Meese on whether Legal Services Corporation, along
with other categorical programs, are subsumed into block grants.
4. Friedersdorf expects we will be in position to have Senate
leadership meet with President tomorrow on Reconciliation
Bill.
5. Grain price support bill signing tomorrow; Khachigian preparing
Presidential statement.
6. Gergen to arrange for Presidential statement on Crocker
trip to Africa (seeking to reinstitute process on Namibia).
Deaver to check with President whether leadership can meet
with him 11:00 a.m. today to be briefed on this issue, then
get Friedersdorf to arrange. Since press already aware of
trip, need to make sure President sets record straight.
7. There will be no announcement on Simon-chaired Productivity
Council until membership determined and Council fleshed out.
Meese suggests the President be indefinite on Council but
state that Simon will be taking up a number of important tasks
for the Administration (NOTE: Simon wanted to be sure there
was daylight between demise of Coalition for New Beginning
and establishment of his Council).
8. The auto package will be released Wednesday. This largely
regulatory.
9. Agreed that Haig should meet with President before leaving
for Middle East, probably Friday morning.
10. Memorandum on investigating and reducing USG PR materials
should be ready for release tomorrow; egregious examples
being included now.
11. Fielding to report on situation regarding hiring and firing
of US Attorneys at tomorrow's Senior Staff meeting.
-2-
12.
Khachigian/Gergen/Anderson to get together on Presidential
statement at Tuskegee 4/12. (Noted that Tuskegee Mayor
a black Democrat who is supportive of RR.)
13. Harper view supported that should not go ahead with OPM
bill to provide derivative preference for spouses of
Viet-nam veterans. Meese notes that should look at
question of whether appropriate to have derivative
preference for spouses of disabled veterans (whether
Viet-nam or not).
14. Agreed that should extend GI benefits for two years for
Viet-nam veterans. Harper has action.
15. In dealing with amendments to reconciliation bill, OMB
will try to end up with result that has same aggregate
budget impact.
16. Allen to work with Weinberger in NSC system on assuring
that ELF communications system for nuclear submarines
is fully discussed in NSC system, that decision is not
made at low level. Garrick reported that CNO thinking
of cancelling funding as of 4/1.
17. HHS looking at long-term social security financing.
Question of whether need private task force to look at
this. Anderson will see where this stands.
Deana
SENIOR STAFF MEETING ACTION ITEMS (3/31/81)
1. Ruge briefing on condition of President/Brady/Secret Service
agent. The President recovering well; Brady better than
they thought, but in serious condition; Secret Service agent
progressing well.
2. The Vice President said that the perception of the next
several days should be one of government continuing in a
routine fashion; the President remains in charge; the
Vice President standing in for him regarding certain events.
Meese/Baker directed that staff:
-- Refer press questions on yesterday's events
to press section.
-- Not engage in discussions of right and wrong
regarding who in charge; point is there was
continuity, government functioned, there was
a team effort, VP/Meese/Baker/Haig and others
in constant communication.
-- Question on adequacy of security to be referred
to Treasury/Secret Service.
3. Schedule for the rest of the week:
-- Today
- We will continue fanfare for Van Agt;
V.P. will meet.
- If possible on V.P. schedule, he will
drop by CSIS dinner honoring Simon.
-- Wednesday
- Illinois trip cancelled.
- Meeting with Baker/Percy/Helms will be kept
on schedule. Question as to whether V.P.
will attend. Meese/Baker/Friedersdorf to
decide.
--- Thursday
- Meeting with Leon Sullivan will be maintained;
V.P. to attend.
- Same for meeting with Black supporters.
- Same for Cabinet meeting.
2
- V.P. to stand-in for meeting with Deputy
Prime Minister of Poland.
- Meese/Baker/Friedersdorf to consider whether
Congressional meetings Thursday to continue.
- Internal preparations for auto industry package
to go forward; question as to whether we keep
this on schedule for V.P.
-- Friday
- Cabinet Council on Natural Resources and
Environment will continue; V.P. to attend if
possible. Fuller to do briefing memo for
President on issues involved.
- Same with national security planning meeting.
4.
Consideration to be given to V.P. meeting with President in
hospital for 20 minutes daily beginning tomorrow.
5. Allen to get information on President-Lopez Portillo
call to Baker; President should be asked if he still wishes
to make call.
6. Gergen to revise news plan in light of events.
7. Fuller to prepare agenda for Thursday Cabinet Meeting,
possibly folding in results of Cabinet Counsel meetings.
8. Preparations Tuskegee speech 4/12 to continue. President
may not make it, but V.P. may wish to.
9.
Swearing-in of minority members of Administration:
Dole to provide list to Meese/Baker. Will then determine
when to schedule.
10. There are not anticipated to be any changes in the foreign
visitors schedule.
11.
Harper/Fielding/Anderson/Fuller to advise Meese on issue of
Federal Regional Commissions.
12. Deaver et al will review issue of current plans for
Mexican trip.
Dean
SENIOR STAFF MEETING ACTION ITEMS (4/1/81)
1. Baker/Deaver will confer on whether V.P. should visit
with President today.
2. Allen/Anderson/Harper to arrange for preparation of paper
setting forth options on strategic petroleum reserve.
Need to get general inclination to Haig before he gets to
Saudi Arabia. Congressional situation is: Senate took
SPR off budget; House likely to put on budget. Question
of what we do in conference, as well as develop other
options.
3. Fuller to have Cabinet agenda out this afternoon.
4. Cabinet meeting tomorrow/NSC meeting today, chaired by
V.P., will be non-decisional. Report of meetings will be
forwarded to President.
5. Presidential Personnel in process of hiring minority
recruiters; Deaver sending Black women candidate over to
James today.
6. James to prepare list of Departmental activity on minority
appointments (including any Presidential Personnel actions
on Department recommendations of minority appointees) in
time for discussion of record at tomorrow's Cabinet meeting.
7. Meese/Murphy/Friedersdorf/Baker/Aller to meet after
Senior Staff meeting on Nicaragua. Friedersdorf reports
State had informed him they plan to brief Hill on this.
8. Agree to make our own appointments to Hawaiian Commission
but keep strict budget control. Anderson to report back.
9. Baker/Deaver to discuss whether Howard Baker should see
President today. Noted that Reconciliation Bill vote in
Senate expected today. Gergen points out need to hype
this as important victory for Administration.
10. Anderson reports there will be substantial refunds on
withholding as result of individual income tax filings
by 4/15.
Deaver
SENIOR STAFF MEETING ACTION ITEMS (4/2/81)
1.
Anderson/Harper looking at question of Roth proposal
for Hoover-type citizen commission on more effective
government. Need to check with Meese to get his views
on this.
2. As long as President in hospital, we will not use signature
pen. Documents requiring Presidential signature should be
routed through Darman for determination; routine corres-
pondence should be signed on behalf of President.
3. Allen to talk to Weinberger on ELF to see what Sec Def
views are. Need to determine if report on ELF to Congress
can be delayed and set deadline for USG determination.
4. Harper/Gergen/Khachigian to develop plan regarding Presidential
messages (while President in hospital) on economic package.
Report to Baker.
5. Federalism Task Force Executive Order is now being reviewed
by OMB.
6.
Anderson/Harper/Williamson to work out policy on federalism
procedures--whether monies should be funneled to Governors,
State legislatures, counties, cities, etc.
7. Friedersdorf to track Women's Economic Equity Act of 1981.
8. Economic package selling materials aimed at poor and
minorities to be distributed widely; Dole thinks they
are good.
SENIOR STAFF MEETING ACTION ITEMS (4/3/81)
Deaver
1. President progressing well; may return to White House next
week (no date set) ; the fact that coughing clots out of lung
normal. He will be photographed today. Doctors will be
doing briefing today.
2. President will see Haig and Weinberger (back-to-back) today.
Vice President to join.
3. Nominations for Presidential signature to Darman who will
arrange orderly transmittal to President.
4. Guidance on Mexico trip: Still on schedule; no decision as
to whether President will go. NOTE: Lopez Portillo willing
to come to Washington.
5. Reconciliation Bill: Gergen to coordinate. Khachigian
to prepare written statement congratulating Senate, praising
bipartisanship involving Democrats as well as Republicans
(Byrd and Hollings) as an example to the House. Murphy
to arrange for time on V.P. schedule with photo opportunity
for Baker/Domenici. Friedersdorf to arrange Congressional
participation.
6. Each section of White House staff to do memo to Darman
containing ideas of what President can do while recuperating.
This due by COB today.
7. Auto package will be released Monday with Presidential/
Vice Presidential involvement. Williamson to provide
materials in advance to eight Governors. Miller (OMB)
preparing statement by noon to be reviewed by Khachigian and
Drew Lewis. Major statement by V.P.; short overview by
President. Statement should stress beneficial impact of
economic recovery package on auto industry, regulatory
reform, and sending briefing and fact finding team to Japan.
8. Grain embargo: Meese noted French statement that (i) French
didn't need permission to sell grain to Soviets, (ii) the
amount sold was roughly the equivalent of last year's sales,
and (iii) the transaction could be influenced by events.
The Reagan Administration has reached no decision on our
own grain embargo.
9. Meese/Allen/Dole/Gergen/Murphy to get together this morning
after national security briefing to discuss response to
NEW YORK TIMES AWAC story. Allen thinking about issue of
leak (special to NEW YORK TIMES with direct quotes from
NSC meeting).
-2-
10. Meese approves Williamson proposal for Task Force on
Puerto Rico.
11. Press to notify Nofziger, as well as Friedersdorf, before
releasing Presidential nominations. Nofziger raised
complaint about Nobel (Synfuels Corporation head) nomination;
Harper pointed out it had been discussed at yesterday's
Senior Staff meeting.
12. Only persons with hold on Presidential personnel proposed
nominations are: Meese/Baker/Deaver and Fielding
regarding legal problems.
13. Secretary Watt will chair Advisory Committee on Inter-
governmental Relations; he is agreeable to spending time
on this.
14. Cribb will put check on minority appointments on Cabinet
agenda three weeks from now.
Deann
SENIOR STAFF MEETING ACTION ITEMS (4/6/81)
1. The President is progressing well; his fever has been
up and down; Speakes will receive a medical briefing this
morning.
2. The only appointments today with the President are
Maureen Reagan and Speaker O'Neill.
3. V.P./Drew Lewis/Anderson/Miller and representatives of
STR/EPA/NHTSA will brief the press on the auto package
today at 2 p.m. The package is complete, but Anderson/
Khachigian/Darman/Allen to get together on Presidential
statement to be read by V.P.
-- Agreed to transmit published auto package
book by special courier to Tokyo for U.S.
team.
-- Suggestion made that V.P. should stay through
full press conference to manage it since
principal issue could be auto import restrictions.
-- President's auto package results from Auto Task
Force; after this, auto issue will be subject
of Commerce-led Trade and Commerce Cabinet
Council.
4. Darman has collected ideas for President's schedule
during his convalescence and transmitted these to Deaver.
5. Reorganization Bill being worked out with Brooks;
Brooks and OMB have agreed.
6. Harper reports issue between Brooks and Administration
on question of extending IG system to DOD; also question
re extending the system to Justice. Meese will talk
to Carlucci to get DOD to lift its objections. Question
on Justice: suggest Fielding talk to Schmults.
7. Fielding to report on U.S. Attorneys and Marshals at
tomorrow's Senior Staff meeting.
8.
Baker/Meese will try to meet with Governor Thompson of
Illinois while he is here tomorrow.
9. We need to get back on substance this week; news play
on President's health largely over.
-2-
10. PR waste and fraud memo nearly ready to go. Memo
should be to Cabinet, not to OMB Director.
11. STR developing draft policy paper on trade; this will
be considered by TPC this week, then transmitted to
Cabinet Council on Commerce and Trade for consideration
prior to submitting to President.
-- NSC will have particular views on aspects
of East-West trade. While overall trade
issues will proceed through TPC/Cabinet
Council process, one can envisage joint
staffing by NSC on security items. Issue
remains: what is last stop before President
on security related items involved in East-
West trade? Suggest: through Cabinet
Council unless of direct military significance,
involves defense related procurement and
separable from other aspects of East-West
trade.
12. Meese to consider issue of whether to support Percy.
bill permitting IRS to assist on general federal
debt collection. Treasury/IRS want to limit IRS to
tax matters. Slippery slope problem of IRS becoming
general enforcement agency for USG; this has impact
on privacy and purpose for which IRS collects information.
13. Harper has transmitted memo on Post Office "country
club" to Baker. This reported to be training facility,
cheaper than current situation. Need to decide.
Deawn
SENIOR STAFF MEETING ACTION ITEMS (4/7/81)
1. President progressing well; fever down. Brady much better,
asking questions, sat up in chair yesterday.
2. James to look into issue of number-two at Bureau of Indian
Affairs being holdover Democrat.
3. V.P. has talking points for House Appropriations Committee
members meeting. There will be NBC shot of meeting.
4. Baker convening lunch on legislative strategy to look at
House economic package proposals.
5. OMB detailed budget (with index) going up to Hill at 2 p.m.
today; Gergen/OMB to work up Presidential statement.
6. Fielding/Nofziger/James/AG to meet at 5 p.m. today on issue
of U.S. Attorneys and U.S. Marshals.
7. Working group under Hardy looking at issue of National
Foundation for Poor; due to report in two weeks.
8. Inspector General issues being worked out: Treasury fine;
Meese says DOD will be OK; need to talk to Justice.
9. Baker/Meese will confer on trying to dissuade Helms from
transferring security assistance dollars to domestic school
lunch program.
10. Ursomarso to work up answers to attacks on economic programs:
e.g., NEW YORK TIMES editorials 4/6 on Medicaid/Medicare
and Vietnam veterans benefits. NOTE: Ursomarso should have
responsibility for preparation of responses to attacks on
President's program as they occur.
11. President will address the Nation on his economic package
after he returns from the hospital. We are not to talk
about this as it's not clear exactly when the President
will be able to do it.
12. Gergen/Harper/Ursomarso/Khachigian to develop communications
plan to deal with Jones budget proposals and degree to
which V.P. should factor in economic package in Tuskegee
speech. Need to impact Congress before they recess for
Easter; tomorrow last day for Senate; Friday last day for
House.
13. Plan is for President to talk to astronauts after space
shuttle launch and upon their return. NASA has action.
NOTE: In Tutwiler's absence, Hodsoll coordinating inputs;
will report at tomorrow's Senior Staff meeting.
14. Clark/Carlucci/Allen/Gergen to coordinate public posture on
Poland and explanation of Haig/Weinberger differences abroad.
Dearer
SENIOR STAFF MEETING ACTION ITEMS (4/8/81)
1. President feeling good. Brady same as yesterday; doctors
encouraged; will be some time before know regarding his left
side. Press guidance on President: President progressing
well; don't know when will return to White House; there
will be period of convalescence after returning.
2. President will be seeing Paul Laxalt at 11:30 a.m. today
(with Baker), Howard Baker at 6:00 p.m. today (with Deaver).
Also:
-- Regan wants to see President before he
goes to Europe end of this week.
-- Will try to schedule Michel to see President
tomorrow; Gergen to work out statement for
when Michel leaves and possibly letter from
President to Michel on economic package
going through House.
3. Federalism Task Force release after Laxalt leaves President.
4. Senior Staff urged to come up with scheduling items for
President and Vice President next week.
5. On question of whether we would go along with lifting the
cap on Federal salaries, tell SES to approach us on this
after August 15. Harper reports that cap part of continuing
resolution; when continuing resolution expires, cap could
be lifted.
6. Dole to circulate for Senior Staff comment proposed Executive
Order on Justice Task Force on Women. Dole wishes to revoke
Carter committees (heavily oriented towards ERA). Need
status report on Women's Equity Bill.
7. Deaver asked to look into question of awards for Secret
Service agents involved in shooting incident. This to be
put on next week's Senior Staff schedule.
8. Fielding to track legislation on Hill restricting arms
sales to countries like Argentina. Allen notes news stories
in NYT.
9. Anderson/Uhlmann to check into Hill action on Voting Rights
Act and report back to Senior Staff meeting next week.
10. Social Security funding issues to be surfaced through Human
Resources Cabinet Council. Anderson notes 3 problems:
-2-
-- Specific Administration positions on bills on Hill.
-- Social Security system could run out of money as
early as FY '83 and '84.
-- Need long term legislation.
12. Briefing book on economic package for Congressional
speakers is ready.
SENIOR STAFF MEETING ACTION ITEMS (4/9/81)
1. Khachigian has action on General Bradley statement for
President.
2. Khachigian/Speakes have action on Regan response to
Rostenkowski statement, to insure response by 2:30 p.m. today.
3. Youth Conference: Dole and Fielding to confer on details
of funding to States.
4. Harper has action on cost impact of Women's Economic Equity
Act: report to Anderson due Monday 4/13.
5. Allen/Meese reported approval of "small ELF". Review
due at White House August 1.
6. President signed today the resolution on African refugee
relief.
7. Speakes to prepare Presidential message to wish well to
space shuttle participants for release before tomorrow's
take-off.
8. Friedersdorf to check timing on Hill of Multi-Fiber Agreement
legislation.
9. Rollins to take lead (with Speakes and Khachigian) on
resolving how to counter Byrd's Saturday press conferences--
e.g., work with RNC to develop Congressional counter-response.
10. Speakes to work with Ursomarso: (a) ways to fill Saturday's
news void and (b) follow-up to 4/8 staff meeting discussion
on briefing books for Congress (re economic recovery program).
11. Speakes to communicate that Congress has lead on auto
imports now that Task Force has submitted its report.
12. Speakes asked for White House cooperation with media which
is now in process of writing "first 100 days" stories.
alean
SENIOR STAFF MEETING ACTION ITEMS (4/10/81)
1. President will be returning to the White House at 11:00 a.m.
Saturday. White House staff is welcome to greet him; those
wishing to do so should be on the South Lawn at 10:30 a.m.
The President has lost weight; there will be a period of
convalescence.
2. The Mexican trip is cancelled. Deaver/Tyson/Speakes to get
together on this. The President will not go to Maureen
Reagan's wedding.
3. Baker/Gergen to work out approaches to Congress regarding
Senate action on budget before Congress recesses for Easter.
Harper reports Armstrong/Grassley/Symms joined Democrats
to defeat budget package in Senate Budget Committee.
-- Reconciliation Bill regarding FY '82 has been voted
out of the Senate Budget Committee; yesterday's
Senate action involves the estimates for FY '83 and
'84. Senators are worried about the continuing
prospect of an imbalanced budget in the out years.
There are three elements here: (i) amending the
COLA, (ii) reducing the tax rate cut program, and
(iii) increasing the budget cuts in FY'83/'84.
-- Baker to call Domenici to get lay of the land and see
if he would be willing to join Administration in
attempt to place this defeat in a positive context.
The Senate action would seek an additional $7 billion
reduction through amending COLA revisions to the
lower of the CPI or real wage increases.
-- Grassley/Symms on Finance Committee as well as
Budget Committee.
4. Baker/Fielding will meet with AG today on issue of U.S.
Attorneys and Marshals.
5. Meese/Baker to meet with business leaders next week (as
part of Dole economic package selling plan) Monday 2 p.m.
and Wednesday 2 p.m./4:50 p.m.
6. Fielding/Harper to report to Baker on issue of Federal grants
being made to persons who are campaigning against RR economic
program. Possibility of persecution under Anti-Lobbying Act;
cons to moving in this direction are possibility of creating
martyrs and generating heavy scrutiny of Administration under
Act. Cited in this area are Maryland doctors and CSA
Executive Directors.
-2-
7. Dole instructed to arrange for transmittal to States of
Federal budget dollars for White House Conference on
Youth.
8. Watt/Edwards will announce California OCS leasing
program today.
9. Anderson will look into Welfare Data Bank Bill (opposed
by IRS) which would use IRS to track welfare program.
This issue should be raised in one of the Cabinet
Councils; OMB to participate in this. Need policy in
this area.
Deann
SENIOR STAFF MEETING ACTION ITEMS (4/13/81)
1. Haig and Weinberger will visit with the President at
noon today. White House photographer to take photos
of Haig/Weinberger coming and going.
2. Consideration should be given to scheduling Stockman/
Friedersdorf and Regan (if he is back) to meet with the
President tomorrow.
3. Khachigian/McClaughry to collaborate on Jefferson birthday
statement.
4. James/Friedersdorf to look at issue of why State and
Defense nominations not moving forward and report back.
5. Khachigian/Gergen to arrange for Presidential statement
denying reports that Administration ready to compromise
on tax bill: President has not authorized anyone to
compromise; the people and the Congress are largely with
us on our package. In addition to White House release,
statement should be released from Treasury and OMB.
6. White House staff to keep telephone log of outside contacts--
press, Governors, etc.
7. Khachigian to prepare Presidential statement regarding death
of Joe Lewis; also send Presidential condolences
to Jim Hagerty family.
8. Khachigian to prepare Presidential statement for State
Department ceremony awarding medals to certain of the
hostages.
9. Gergen/Khachigian to prepare Presidential statement for
April 15 tax return filing deadline. Meese/Deaver to check
with RR on his personal tax situation. Presidential state-
ment should note: now more than ever before must do something
to reduce tax rates, provide additional resources to
Americans; RR economic package helps do this.
Deann
SENIOR STAFF MEETING ACTION ITEMS (4/14/81)
1. Mrs. Reagan will leave at 2 p.m. for Bradley funeral.
2. Fielding to prepare memos on code of conduct, ethics and
accepting of travel expenses. OMB GC to provide inputs.
Fielding to come back to Senior Staff on this and prepare
presentation for discussion with Cabinet and sub-Cabinet.
3. Requests to use East Wing facilities should be submitted to
Peter McCoy. Requests to use Blair House should be sub-
mitted to Joe Canzeri.
4. Harper has provided memorandum to Fielding on issue of
Federal grants being made to persons campaigning against
RR economic program.
5. Treasury preparing draft Presidential statement for
tomorrow -- relating to 4/15 tax filing deadline.
6. Review of FRCs continues. Some Departments (like DOC)
eliminating regional people.
7. Presidential statement on Space Shuttle will be released
this PM from Washington; Baker to deliver message in
Houston and invite astronauts and families to White House.
8. Secretary Baldrige should not hold press conference on
autos, but can meet with persons concerned with auto
industry -- brief and listen.
9. We should avoid letting private groups use film footage
of the President. Where this cannot be stopped, we should
refuse to comment on it. Regarding Helms' film, line is:
no consent, no permission. Regarding NCPAC, we have no control.
10. Harper to pull together list of who are getting SES bonuses
and information on how the award system works. We need to
reformulate this program in accordance with Administration
objectives.
File
SENIOR STAFF MEETING ACTION ITEMS (4/16/81)
1. The V.P./Allen/Haig/Weinberger will accompany Luns in
meeting with President.
2. There will be no formal national security briefings today
or tomorrow.
3. V.P. urged to drop by large meeting of U.S. Hispanic
Chamber of Commerce -- in addition to meeting he has with
this group in Roosevelt Room.
4. Presidential statement on fraud, waste and abuse to be
released at 2:30 p.m. today. Darman circulating draft
for clearance this morning.
5. Cabinet agenda today will include report on Japanese
auto trip, SES bonuses.
6. Meese/Baker/Allen to meet after Senior Staff meeting to
discuss Safire column on F-15's.
7. Fuller coordinating actions regarding potential work
stoppage when postal contract runs out June 1. Fuller
thinking of putting together information group on this,
similar to group regarding coal strike.
8. We will release Presidential statement on Joe Louis today,
notwithstanding leak yesterday.
9. Nofziger to repeat today admonition to Cabinet on avoiding
giving visibility to Democrats, particularly those who
oppose the President's program or who are running for office.
10. Harper to pull together letter to SES on fraud, waste and
abuse; coordinate with Deaver.
11. Baker will get to Small guidance on Stockman statement
indicating we are contemplating cuts in social security
benefits.
General guidance: President never talks about what he
will and won't veto.
SENIOR STAFF MEETING ACTION ITEMS (4/17/81)
Zule
1. The Vice President will be in Maine, New Hampshire and
South Carolina over the Easter weekend.
2. Invitations to functions at the residence must be
issued by the Social Office.
3. Uhlmann preparing report on Voting Rights Act. Assistant
Attorney General preparing policy paper on overall
Administration posture in civil rights area.
4.
Current idea is for Astronauts to visit with President
at White House 4/24. No press on this now.
SENIOR STAFF MEETING ACTION ITEMS (4/20/81)
1. Grain embargo stories simply due to catching Baldrige off-guard.
2. Warren Richardson is HHS choice. Administration is still
considering whether or not to send his nomination forward.
3. RR will call Ford today before Ford moves out to help sell
economic package.
4. Williamson/Dole to get together on Youth Conference.
5. Darman to develop procedures for clearance of communications
by special assistants proporting to speak on behalf of President.
Communications to Cabinet should be through the Cabinet Secretary.
6. Guidance on State/Defense Assistant Secretaries: All
scheduled for confirmation hearings by end of month. Enders'
nomination will be released today. Fact that he has had
access to classified material is normal; he is career FSO.
Dear
SENIOR STAFF MEETING ACTION ITEMS (4/21/81)
1. Eight Governors will meet with President at 11:00 a.m. today,
followed by 11:20 press conference with Governors.
2. Meese/Baker to confer on economic briefing.
3. F-15/AWAC guidance: While decision has been made to proceed
with F-15's and AWAC's, it was not made at NSC meeting.
Allen notes that Israel has five AWAC's of equivalent
capability.
4. Attorney General to see President at 5:00 p.m. today for
ten minutes.
5. President has ten phone calls today with Congressmen and
Senators to help sell economic package.
6. Khachigian will try to circulate the draft economic speech
among concerned Senior Staff Wednesday (getting guidance
from the Legislative Strategy Group today), draft to
President Thursday. Speech next week.
7. Gergen/Speakes/Deaver to develop names for small group of
print people to meet with President.
8. Reagan Administration does not support Constitutional
Convention, Nofziger to check into- how communication to
Washington came about.
9. Policy on legislative veto: OK for independent Agencies
but not Executive Branch Departments and Agencies. Need
to get Justice to follow this line.
10. Khachigian preparing Presidential speeches for Notre Dame.
(May 17) on foreign policy and West Point (May 27) on
defense policy. NSC staff has made inputs for foreign
policy speech; Khachigian working on them. Weinberger has
provided input for West Point speech; Allen will provide
to Khachigian. Idea on Notre Dame speech is to compare
Reagan Notre Dame speech with Carter Notre Dame speech.
Defense policy speech could be on manpower or possibly
energy security. Meese notes TIMES' article on need for
new defense doctrine and challenges for the '80's.
11. Speakes will background today on the economic package
selling program.
12. Gergen will have by the beginning of next week a package on
our first hundred days.
13. John Rogers to approve budget for mailings and meetings;
White House staff to submit in advance.
SENIOR STAFF MEETING ACTION ITEMS (4/22/81)
File
1. State legislators to meet with press after meeting with
Vice President.
2. Guidance on grain embargo: No decision; meetings yesterday
were to discuss a wide range of topics.
3. All Senior Staff encouraged to attend reception for newspaper
editors beginning at 6:00 p.m. Fuller has badges for Cabinet;
staff badges will be available in Chinese room.
4. Vice President speaking at 10:00 p.m. at White House
Correspondents' Dinner.
5. Small group of print people coming in to see President on
Friday; Senior Staff warned to hold close; not announced yet.
6. Stockman memo on improving federal debt collection in
clearance today; proposed to release tomorrow.
7. Gergen to collect material from State and DOD presenting our
case on F-15/AWAC deal; no release of this material now;
will talk about it at next Senior Staff meeting. NSC will
provide material for persons involved in speaking engagements
or Sunday talk shows to respond to questions.
8. Ursomarso to be kept informed of speaking engagements by
Administration officials.
9. OMB has regional impact analysis of our economic package.
Analysis shows that impacts evenly distributed.
10. Fuller/Harper to get material to Hodsoll on DOD/DOT projects
in Philadelphia area in coming FY's.
11. James/Speakes to assure that Enders and Rostow announcements
are made today.
Dearen
Senior Staff Meeting Action Items (4/23/81)
1. Howard Baker scheduled to see the President at 9:30 a.m.;
Max to meet Baker and bring him in.
2. Allen will do backgrounder on F-15/AWAC issues. Speakes
low-keying issue. Gergen arranging for preparation of
paper for use by surrogates and coordinating State and DOD.
3. Regarding President's Joint Session speech, Gergen to
check within next hour as to network basketball coverage
competition Tuesday or Wednesday next week. Gergen to
coordinate plan with Deaver and then inform Friedersdorf
as to when we want Joint Session. Preference is for
Tuesday, no later than 9:00 p.m.; Wednesday fall-back.
(NOTE: President has spoken with O'Neill and Baker.)
4. Debt collection/improved management proposal ready to go
today. Harper/Stockman will be discussing this issue on
the Hill today. Harper notes devastating January report
on Federal credit management which could be leaked in
support of the Administration effort. Stockman to take
lead with press.
5. President ought to do Holocaust ceremony 4/30, not
Vice President.
6. Mrs. Reagan will go to Ticonderoga ceremony, not President.
7. Staff should not discuss agenda or subject matter of
meetings at White House. FH preparing memorandum.
8. Grain embargo: No decision yet reached. There are a
number of meetings at the White House on various subjects;
we should not comment on them.
9. Fuller has action on developing blue ribbon committee to
develop private foundation for picking up CETA job training.
Senior Staff Meeting Action Items (4/24/81)
tile
1. Paul Laxalt will be on President's schedule today at
11:00; Wirthlin at 11:15 a.m.
2. Will
t m
go over
preparations for announcement.
3. The President will leave for Camp David today, returning
Monday.
4. Cabinet officers will be invited to attend the President's
address to the Joint Session. Khachigian collecting
comments today on speech. Speech should include union
endorsements of economic program by name.
6. Allen to arrange for five or six Senior Staff to obtain
Air Force briefing on AWACs. This involves going out
to Andrews to inspect the plane.
Deana
Senior Staff Meeting Action Items (4/27/81)
1. A copy of the draft speech for the President before the Joint
Session of Congress tomorrow will be circulated this morning for
key Senior Staff comment. Khachigian says comments should be
on major substance, because the President has already approved
the language. Khachigian will meet with the President tomorrow
afternoon on the speech.
We will invite Sarah Brady to the Joint Session to hear the
speech.
Darman/Friedersdorf will have a legislative strategy meeting
this afternoon to go over, inter alia, the Joint Session speech.
Friedersdorf will arrange for Cabinet and other seating at the
Joint Session.
We will not release the speech until the President delivers it
tomorrow night.
2. Friedersdorf reports that we expect the House vote on the
economic package Thursday or Friday this week or next week.
He may want to bring in Democrats and recalcitrant Republicans
to meet with the President prior to the vote. The President
will be meeting with Michel at 11:00 a.m. tomorrow. Frieders-
dorf also reports that the Senate has caucused on the budget
resolution; it's probable that we now have this back on track.
The Committee will vote tomorrow. While we should not speak
about this now (until it is in the bag), we should try to
make a release on it in time for the evening news tomorrow
before the President's speech to the Joint Session.
3. There will be a ceremony to present medals to DeLahanty and
McCarthy on Friday in the Rose Garden. Senior Staff asked to
supply Canzeri with guest list suggestions. Darman and Canzeri
to look into question of medals.
4. Friedersdorf/James/Deaver to consult on Percy actions to impede
confirmations of Malone (Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans,
Environment and Science) and Paulken (Action Administrator).
Friedersdorf reports Percy joining with Cranston to require
Malone to provide a list of all his previous clients; Percy also
suggesting split up of Action - Peace Corps before Paulken
confirmation.
5. Deaver/Allen/Speakes/Gergen to get together after the meeting
to develop guidance on foreign policy matters arising over the
weekend (Haig's comments on an across the board embargo if
the Soviets intervene in Poland, and the Japanese coming here
on autos).
-2-
6.
Agreed that the Administration is not in favor of
transferring DOD schools. Harper reports we have no
plan on this at the moment.
7. Anderson to prepare paper on Constitutional Convention
for balanced budget. Our position is that a Constitutional
Convention would be a last resort. First choice regarding
process is legislation; if a constitutional amendment
is required, we should do this through the Congressional
procedure rather than the Convention procedure because a
Convention could open up a whole host of other items.
Noted that we are now within 2-3 States of getting a
Convention.
8. Anderson/Fuller/Fielding to check on situation regarding
breast milk substitute.
9.
Secretary Edwards will be asked not to go to the Joint
Session in order to provide for succession corsiderations;
Bell didn't go last time.
10. Anderson has prepared a list of expert witnesses who can
testify on the Hill on our economic package.
11. We will provide our list of major union endorsements to
the press on Wednesday after the meetings with labor
leaders who endorse our economic package; we will release
the longer list of endorsees on Thursday.
12. While we are for the Republican candidate for the Maryland
bi-election, we do not want to bill this as a test election;
we could lose in that the district is heavily Democratic.
13. Harper preparing letter to be provided to Ed Thomas containing
response to Jack Anderson's letter on whistleblowers. Tony
Dolan can be helpful here as he knows many of the people
on Jack Anderson's staff.
14. Action responsibility on all letters to the President from
Congressmen and Senators should be given to Friedersdorf.
Action assignments should be made by Darman. Noted that
special handling of letters to the President has caused
problems -- often delaying responses rather than expediting
them.
15. The response to Goldwater et al on Enders will go out today.
-3-
16. Hearings in House on PAPTCO negotiations regarding
air traffic controller salaries: Our attitude on this
should be part of our more general labor strategy.
Increased salaries could cost a substantial amount;
suggestion made that legislation not going anywhere.
NOTE: No action responsibility assigned; suggest
Friedersdorf/Harper/Dole look into.
Deare
Senior Staff Meeting Action Items (4/29/81)
1. Harper to obtain facts on ten cases of whistle-blowing
noted in Jack Anderson's letter to President. Based on
this, we will decide what (if any) letter to send. Senior
Staff divided on whether letter should come from President.
2. Dole has action on Holocaust preparations for Thursday.
All in order.
3. Allen pulling together preparations for Suzuki visit.
Three items still need to be resolved:
-- Submarine incident.
-- Japanese criticism on embargo (we have cables
to show that we consulted).
-- Auto issue.
4. Guidance on Brock trip to Tokyo: Brock talking about a
variety of trade matters; invited to Japan at the request
of Japanese; this not a negotiation; no numbers being set
up by us (although Brock will note that there is legislation
on the Hill).
5. Checking with groups on new VA Administrator should be
completed today. Expect announcement tomorrow. Webb
had been considered but never offered the job.
6. OMB will prepare negative statement on PATCO legislation
to send to Hill; we will try not to testify (although
Lewis wants to pull all stops to stop legislation).
Statement should be conciliatory but note that appropriate
place for dealing with this is the bargaining table, not
in legislation. If legislation continues to move forward
(this is not expected), we will oppose outright.
7. Darman to provide Harper with guidance on legislative veto
issue. Roth/Laxalt/Schmitt may want compromise. Justice
testimony not entirely clear.
8. Position on Davis-Bacon remains the same. We do not support
its repeal, but DOL working on changes in regulations to
improve. Stockman statement urging repeal noted. Anderson
requested to put this issue on Economic Affairs Cabinet
Council agenda.
Dearn
Senior Staff Meeting Actions Items (4/30/81)
1. Need to get word to Khachigian on his meeting with
President today.
2. No additions will be made to the President's schedule
for next week; concentrate on economic package sell.
3. We have announced effort to convince Congress of merits
of President's economic package; we will not publish the
names of the Congressmen and Senators the President is
meeting with or calling; Speakes to state that President
is continuing to counsel with Congress in the attempt to
persuade them on the merits of his proposal.
4. The Law Day ceremony is scratched. Medal presentations
for DeLahanty/McCarthy postponed until perhaps June.
Medals issue not decided.
5. Darman will circulate guidance on legislative veto to
all members of Senior Staff.