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Senior Staff Meetings-1982 (August 1982)
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Senior Staff Meetings-1982 (August 1982)
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Records of the White House Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff (Reagan Administration)
Michael Deaver's Senior Staff Meeting Files
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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 1982
(August 1982)
Box: 31
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/
SENIOR STAFF MEETING ACTION ITEMS (8-2-82)
ACTION
ITEMS
Schedule: Photo op is with Shamir; pre-meeting briefing time may
Speakes
1.
be expanded.
2.
Donovan: Guidance re new allegations is that all questions should
Speakes
be referred to Justice.
Trip Speeches: Suggestions received from Regan on grain agreement
Darman
3.
have been incorporated into speech; guidance is that we will be
consulting with the Soviets about the extension. Regarding Hartford
speech, tuition tax credits and other points appropriate to the
audience have been included.
4.
Tuition Tax Credits: Meeting was held Friday with private coali-
Duberstein
tion, who are also meeting with Senator Dole this morning. We
Dole
should determine what steps are needed to further push the legis-
lation; we should also begin looking for a strategy in the House.
Balanced Budget: Final vote in Senate is likely on Wednesday; most
Duberstein
5.
amendments have so far been defeated.
6.
Airline Pilots/War Risk Insurance Bill: Legislation is now out of
Duberstein
conference. Stockman will urge a veto, but Lewis reportedly feels
Fuller
we should sign it despite our misgivings. Decision is that we
Darman
should inform airline industry that they should not expect a veto
of the bill. Stockman will, however, have a chance to make his
case for a veto after the bill arrives.
7.
CBI: Shultz, Regan, and Brock will testify before the Senate
Duberstein
Finance Committee on tax and trade aspects. Appropriations markup
will be held soon on $350M for CBI.
FCC/ICC Reduction: Laxalt will offer amendment for partial restora-
Duberstein
8.
tion of ICC seats; we are looking for a sponsor for a similar amend-
ment re the FCC.
9.
Steel Stretchout: Fuller will check on status of EPA action regard- Fuller
ing this issue.
10. Clean Air Act: We have been promised that a bill will be reported
Duberstein
out of committee by August 15.
Regarding recent EPA action on lead content, guidance is that the
Fuller
proposal is in response to the public comment procedure and is not
Wright
a reversal. Fact sheet will be circulated on this; also, OMB is
now reviewing proposed regulations.
11. Hinckley: Report is due today on St. Elizabeth's examination;
Speakes
guidance is no comment.
Senior Staff Meeting Action Items (8-2-82)
Page 2 of 2
ITEMS
ACTION
12. DOE Reorganization: GAO report criticizes reported savings from
Duberstein
reorganization; hurts prospects of passing a bill. Legislation
is currently being written/amended in a way that may make it more
disagreeable than no bill at all.
13. Health Care Vouchers: Several proposals have been developed on
Duberstein
the Hill which may help in achieving more competitive health care
Harper
costs; Duberstein will check.
14. Middle East: It was pointed out that the President was heavily
Gergen
involved with developments in the Middle East while at Camp David
and that his press remarks conveyed this to the public; we may
consider more regular press remarks on future weekend returns.
SENIOR STAFF MEETING ACTION ITEMS (8-3-82)
ACTION
ITEMS
Balanced Budget Amendment: Will probably reach the Senate floor
Duberstein
1.
tomorrow afternoon; prospects are good for obtaining 2/3 vote
needed. In the House, Rodino has scheduled a hearing at which Regan
will testify; this is a tactic to slow progress of a discharge
petition.
CBI: Appropriations Committee begins markup today on the $350M we
Duberstein
2.
are seeking.
3.
Tax Bill: Reconciliation conference committee begins work today.
Duberstein
Regarding provisions affecting Puerto Rico, Governor Romero is now
Williamson
in agreement with the Treasury position; effort is being made to add
a pharmaceutical provision to 936, but Romero says such a provision,
which would cost $150M, is not needed.
Anti-Crime Package: We do not have a date certain for Senate con-
Duberstein
4.
sideration, though it will likely come up after the August recess.
Effort will be made to meet with Thurmond and H. Baker to seek
restoration of provisions previously removed.
FCC/ICC Reduction: Is now included in reconciliation package and
Duberstein
5.
will come up on the Senate floor after Balanced Budget Amendment.
Laxalt will offer amendment to restore ICC seats, but we are still
looking for a sponsor re FCC. Suggestion was made that Schmitt be
asked to introduce the FCC amendment.
6.
Nuclear Freeze Resolution: Will come up on the House floor tomor-
Duberstein
row. We are employing a full court press on this issue.
7.
Employment Training Bill: Erlenborn, Donovan and OMB are near
Fuller
agreement on an acceptable package of amendments on the House ver-
Wright
sion of this bill. Fuller and Wright will circulate an outline
after an agreement has been reached today.
8.
Baldrige Statements: Guidance is that mid-session review was not
Speakes
meant to be a forecast, and that we did not update our economic
assumptions in the review. If we had done so, our numbers might
have been closer to the CBO figures.
9.
Airline Pilots/War Risk Insurance Bill: Stockman has asked that
Darman
industry not be told about our intentions on the bill since that
would preclude his argument for a veto. Meese, Lewis and Stockman
will meet today after Legislative Strategy to discuss our position.
Tuition Tax Credits: Senate Finance Committee will begin markup on
Duberstein
10.
issue next week; we will need to prepare to break a possible fili-
Dole
buster once the bill reaches the Senate floor. Dole will send
letter to private coalition of supporters informing them of our
intentions and seeking their help.
Senior Staff Meeting Action Items (8-3-82)
Page 2 of 2
ACTION
ITEMS
11. Prisons: Senator Dole has authored a bill that would spend $2B
Fuller
over two years for a grant program to build prisons. OMB recom-
Harper
mended we oppose the bill, and senior staff agreed. Fuller will
speak with DOJ on the subject, and our record regarding land
transfer requests for prison construction will also be checked.
12.
Supplemental: Dispute has arisen over $1.7B for Section 8 housing.
Wright
Decision is that we will not withdraw our deferral request, but
will instead make Congress decide whether the language in the ap-
propriation will allow administrative discretion to spend the money.
SENIOR STAFF MEETING ACTION ITEMS (8-4-82)
ITEMS
ACTION
1.
Schedule: Photo op is during 10:00 meeting with bipartisan con-
Speakes
gressional group.
Items added to schedule are legislative briefing at 2:00; meetings
with selected Congressmen and Senators at 3:00; personal staff
time at 3:30; House and Senate GOP leadership at 4:00; and budget
meeting in the Oval Office at 4:30.
Cabinet: Meeting at 11:00 will discuss demographics and OPD plan-
Fuller
2.
ning process; CCCT will then meet with the President at 11:45 on
maritime issues.
3.
Balanced Budget Amendment: Senate vote on final passage is set for
Duberstein
noon today. Bill was amended to require 60% vote to raise the debt
ceiling; an attempt will be made to remove this provision, which
could jeopardize prospects for the entire amendment.
Beirut: Guidance on current developments will be ready by 9:00.
Clark
4.
Nuclear Freeze Resolution: Issue will probably come up on the
Duberstein
5.
House floor tomorrow. It is expected that the vote will be very
close.
6.
CBI: Yesterday Appropriations Committee voted for the full $350M
Duberstein
request to fund CBI; issue has still not moved in the Senate Finance
or House Ways and Means Committee, though. We are continuing to
make calls.
7.
Tax Bill: Dole will discuss with Fuller suggestion to have the
Dole
Cabinet become more actively involved in this issue. Also, Dole,
Rollins
Rollins and Williamson should each formulate plans for use of their
Williamson
outreach resources to assist in passage of the tax bill.
Black Colleges: Secretary Bell's plans for a press conference to
Fuller
8.
brief on the status of black colleges will be postponed.
9.
Personnel: It was emphasized that contact with agencies on per-
sonnel matters should be handled through the WH Personnel Office.
10. Wendy Borcherdt: von Damm, Dole, Speakes and Baker will discuss
Speakes
press guidance regarding her departure from WH staff.
11. Regulatory Task Force: Two reports on work of the V.P.'s task
Williamson
force on regulatory reform are being released today; background
Bush
briefings will also be held. Williamson and Fred Bush will meet
to discuss details of this.
12. Employment Training Bill: Strategy on issue of public sector jobs
Fuller
is to establish clear legislative history that the bill is not in-
tended to allow that. Fuller will call Secretary Donovan and advise
him of this approach.
13. CFTC User Fees: Question has arisen whether we want to push on
Wright
this. The issue will be discussed tomorrow after further informa-
tion has been obtained.
SENIOR STAFF MEETING ACTION ITEMS (8-5-82)
ACTION
ITEMS
Schedule: Health care event is photo op. NSC meeting has been
Speakes
1.
postponed, and Congressional meeting has been added at 3:45. Sug-
gestion was made that the press office not mention which state
delegations will meet with President this afternoon regarding
reconciliation.
2.
Beirut: News reports on President's letter to Begin appear to be
based on an earlier draft.
3.
Tax Bill/Reconciliation: Talking points will be drafted on how
Wright
the tax bill and spending cuts interrelate; the points will then
Darman
be circulated for senior staff use.
4.
Balanced Budget Amendment: Rodino is holding final committee hear-
Duberstein
ing today on the amendment; he and other Democrats are reportedly
thinking of drafting their own version. At this point, we have 185
signatures on a discharge petition.
Unemployment Benefits: Today Metzenbaum will introduce an amend-
Wright
5.
ment to the reconciliation package for a $6B extension in benefits.
Duberstein
OMB is discussing a $2B extension with Domenici and others, but
the WH has no official position as yet.
Fuller
6.
Cabinet Luncheon: Meeting is a continuation of the long-range
planning presentation which began yesterday.
Nuclear Freeze Resolution: Vote at 12:30 is expected to be very
Duberstein
7.
close. Any call requests on this need to be submitted as soon as
Clark
possible. NSC will draft statement for adaptation after vote.
Federalism: Issue will be discussed in Legislative Strategy meet-
Darman
8.
ing at 10:00; specifics need to be decided soon.
Williamson
9.
Airline Pilots/War Risk Insurance Bill: Meese and Baker will dis-
Meese
cuss this issue with the President this morning.
Baker
10. CFTC User Fees: New effort will be made to include user fees in
Wright
reauthorization, though prospects are not good.
11. FCC/ICC Reduction: ICC portion was worked out via an amendment by
Duberstein
Laxalt. FCC portion must still be resolved, though; matter will
be discussed with Senator Stevens.
12. Job Training Bill: Version passed by House yesterday allocates
Duberstein
only 55% of funds for training versus 70% in the Senate bill.
Effort to exclude wages and stipends failed. Bill now goes to
conference; a veto is possible unless changes are made in the House
bill.
SENIOR STAFF MEETING ACTION ITEMS (8-6-82)
ACTION
ITEMS
1.
Schedule: There will be no photo op during congressional meeting.
Speakes
2.
Nuclear Freeze: Administration won by a two-vote margin. We
Duberstein
should try to help those 3 Pennsylvania congressmen who switched
their votes at the end.
Beirut: Begin has announced his answer to the President's letter,
Clark
3.
though we have not yet received a copy. Meeting with Jewish
Dole
leaders yesterday went very well, though problems were caused by
Speakes
Berman's remarks to press on sanctions and other matters that were
supposed to be on background.
4.
Unemployment Figures: Increased from 9.5% to 9.8% in July, a new
postwar high.
Extension of Unemployment Benefits: Efforts are still being made
Duberstein
5.
to agree on a compromise. Administration has not yet taken a posi-
Wright
tion on such efforts.
6.
Airline Pilots/War Risk Insurance Bill: Meese discussed issue with
Duberstein
President yesterday. It was decided to support Kassebaum if she
Wright-
moves for hearings, but to maintain a neutral position otherwise.
Kassebaum feels Senate may defeat the bill without WH involvement.
7.
Tax Bill: Support coalition was formed yesterday; Dole will also
Dole
request a call to the head of NFIB. President is repeatedly
Fuller
stressing his view that the tax bill is a necessity; a Cabinet
Duberstein
meeting may be scheduled for the President to explain his position
personally.
Public Employee Pension Legislation: Consensus is that bill
Meese
8.
(PEPPRA) should be opposed; question is timing, mainly due to fact
Williamson
that we are trying to work with the bill's sponsor, Erlenborn, to
obtain changes in the employment training bill. It was decided
that Williamson could convey our position to governors' meeting if
President concurs.
FCC Reduction: Yesterday we lost our effort to restore seats,
Duberstein
9.
though we may have another opportunity in conference.
10. General Supplemental: OMB is preparing a paper opposing the domes-
Wright
tic increases, despite fact CBI is included. Veto will remain pos-
sibility.
SENIOR STAFF MEETING ACTION ITEMS (8-9-82)
ACTION
ITEMS
Schedule: No photo op today.
Speakes
1.
2.
Tax Bill: It was announced that Lyn Nofziger will be here from
Darman
10 to 14 days to devise a communications plan to help pass the tax
Duberstein
bill. Also, a Legislative Strategy meeting will be held at 10:00
on the subject. Re news story on Social Security, it was stressed
that staff should not be drawn into discussions on the subject by
reporters; guidance is that we are awaiting the commission's report.
3.
Internal Revenue: Congressman Rosenthal begins hearings August 11
Hauser
on the disclosure of IRS information to the Selective Service.
Fuller
Hauser and Fuller will discuss and then make a recommendation.
Beirut: There have been positive developments; however, the two
Clark
4.
key problems are that the Israelis have not yet agreed on a with-
drawal timetable, and that commitments are not yet pinned down on
where the PLO will go.
General Supplemental: Will be considered today in the Senate.
Duberstein
5.
Over $700M in domestic spending has been added on the theory that
Wright
we would not veto due to inclusion of CBI funds. Veto signal has
been sent, however.
6.
Tuition Tax Credits: Senate Finance Committee begins markup on
Duberstein
proposal today; a letter will be sent to all committee members
before then.
7.
Federalism: Post story on governors' break with the Administration
Williamson
is overstated; they have said they intend to continue working with
the Administration in developing a plan, and have not rejected the
President's proposal.
School Prayer: Testimony begins today in the Senate Judiciary
Duberstein
8.
Committee; topic may also be discussed briefly in Legislative
Darman
Strategy. We should consider sending another signal of our support
to the Committee to avoid the type of misunderstanding that arose
on tuition tax credits.
9.
Firefighters Legislation: Bill was again discussed that would pro-
Dole
vide a $50,000 lump sum payment to certain federal employees killed
Wright
in the line of duty. OMB opposes the bill, and a letter of opposi-
tion was sent to Carl Perkins on July 21 (a similar letter was also
sent last year). Concern has been expressed about a possible cam-
paign commitment to support such a bill; no evidence of such a com-
mitment has been found, though. Dole, Fuller, Wright and others
should meet to discuss our position.
10. Legal Equity Report: Congressman Patricia Schroeder intends to
Dole
place a copy of it in the Congressional Record, along with a criti-
cal analysis.
SENIOR STAFF MEETING ACTION ITEMS (8-10-82)
ITEMS
ACTION
1.
Schedule: Congressional meeting at 4:00 will be photo op. Also,
Speakes
personal time at lunch may be used for a working lunch to brief
Duberstein
President on the tax bill.
2.
General Supplemental: CBI is included, but it is $640M over on
Duberstein
the domestic side; in meetings today, President will stress that
such over-spending is unacceptable.
3.
Beirut: We may not have an agreement till next week since (a) the
Clark
deal with Egypt came unstuck yesterday, and (b) the Israeli Cabinet
is unlikely to accept the proposal without change. Guidance is to
be cautious in commenting. Concerning the War Powers Act, Fielding's
recommendation to say nothing will be followed.
4.
IRS: Hearings begin tomorrow on disclosures of IRS information to
Fuller
Selective Service. Fuller and Hauser will discuss our position in
Hauser
advance.
5.
Tuition Tax Credits: Changes in our proposal are being made in the
Meese
Senate; refundability, which we oppose, has been added, along with
Duberstein
a lower cap of $40,000. Letter restating our position has been
Dole
sent. There is a need for the private coalition to work harder on
the Hill. Meese will meet today with Catholic newspapers to dis-
cuss this subject.
6.
Unemployment Benefits Extension: Democrats are trying to place
Duberstein
this on the supplemental and other bills; Duberstein will check on
situation.
7.
Tax Bill: We have made no real progress in getting support from
Duberstein
NFIB, and also need help with IPAA. Strategy is to begin pulling
Dole
off people who signed letter of opposition.
Rollins
8.
Federalism: Snelling intends to introduce resolution critical of
Williamson
our proposal. Williamson is working with him and Matheson to
modify it; failing that, we may have the votes to kill it.
9.
El Salvador: President will not sign resolution requiring inves-
Baker
tigation of certain murders of Americans in El Salvador; we intend,
Meese
however, to fully comply with its provisions. It was decided that
Deaver
the matter would be discussed again with the President due to fear
that refusal to sign would make this a major media story.
10.
Clean Air: House Commerce Committee will resume markup on the bill
Duberstein
today; in Senate, Howard Baker has committed to get a bill out by
August 15. Steel stretchout provision is contained in the bill.
11. Veterans' Benefits: Vets' benefits to surviving widows and
Duberstein
children were cut last year; we are supporting a resumption of such
benefits. On question of which agency will pay, it was decided that
money should be appropriated to DOD.
Senior Staff Meeting Action Items (8-10-82)
Page 2 of 2
ITEMS
ACTION
12. Pilots' Bill: Our position remains one of neutrality.
Duberstein
13. Lead Phasedown: Small refiners disagree with EPA's plans. Our
Fuller
regulatory task force feels the two month exemption for small re-
finers might be retained without any serious effect on the policy,
and is working with EPA on the matter.
14. Cabinet: Will meet at 2:00 for a briefing on the tax bill and the
Fuller
communications strategy to assist passage. President will open the
Darman
meeting with an explanation of his reasons for supporting the bill;
paper with talking points should be prepared.
SENIOR STAFF MEETING ACTION ITEMS
ITEMS
ACTION
1.
Nuclear Freeze: New resolution is being introduced,
Duberstein
though it is not likely to make it out of Zablocki's
committee; Legislative Affairs will monitor this.
2. Schedule: No photo op today. Regarding the congres-
Speakes
sional meetings, number of participants should be cut.
Duberstein
3. Clean Air Act: Key amendment vote lost, 21-20, though
Duberstein
it could be raised again. This vote will not affect
action in the Senate.
4. General Supplemental: passed the Senate last night,
Duberstein
and is going to conference. Passage was by voice vote,
thus denying us an accurate reading of support. Bill
is $1. 1B over our request on the domestic side.
5. Tuition Tax Credits: Moynihan and Bradley have raised Duberstein
questions about the anti-discrimination provision of
Fuller
the bill. We should be able to satisfy their concerns;
Justice will answer questions.
6. Handicapped Regulations: after Education submitted the Wright
regulations to Congress at OMB's suggestion, they were Fuller
voted down 369-0. The regulations are designed to im- Harper
plement a block grant program. Question of why regs
were sent to the Hill and other aspects will be checked.
7. Tax Bill: Though there are problems, including lack of Nofziger
a conference report yet, we are making progress. Out-
side groups and the Cabinet have been mobilized, and
speech material is now available.
8. Balanced Budget Amendment: there are now 185 signa-
Duberstein
tures on a dìscharge petition in the House, with five
days to go. Legislative Affairs will try to gear up
an effort on this.
9. Veterans: it was suggested that, in Clark speech to
McFarlane
veterans' groups, we take some credit for the bill pro-
viding benefits to those veterans killed in the line of
duty. McFarlane, Wright, Dole and Meese will discuss
speech.
It was also mentioned that veterans groups are gearing Dole
up a major effort aimed at the removal of Bob Nimmo
from the VA.
10. School Prayer: suggestion was made that the AG or
Fuller
Schmults should deliver school prayer testimony on Aug-
ust 18 instead of Olson; reason would be to raise the
visibility of our support for this issue.
SENIOR STAFF MEETING ACTION ITEMS (8-11-82)
ITEMS
ACTION
1.
Nuclear Weapons Policy: Danforth and 20 other senators have intro-
Clark
duced a resolution calling on the President to provide Congress
with a comprehensive review of U.S. nuclear weapons policy. Deci-
sion was made that such a review will not be provided until after
the elections.
2.
Tax Bill: Nofziger will assist Speakes in developing guidance re
Nofziger
stories on remarks made to Cabinet. Conference on tax bill broke
Duberstein
up last night over AFDC, but will resume work this afternoon.
3.
Federalism: Though Snelling is no longer chairman, he will con-
Williamson
tinue to negotiate with us on the subject. It was mentioned that
Snelling was the only GOP governor to vote against us on the
Balanced Budget resolution.
4.
Beirut: Habib is now in Jerusalem discussing with Begin the tim-
Clark
ing for introduction of the multilateral force.
5.
Pipeline Sanctions: House Foreign Affairs Committee's vote to
Duberstein
rescind sanctions is not yet a source of serious concern.
6.
Tuition Tax Credits: Vote is set for today in Senate Finance Com-
Duberstein
mittee; our count is 10-10. Calls will be made to Symms, Wallop
Dole
and Heinz to obtain their support. The private coalition will be
asked to concentrate on Symms.
7.
Retail Sales: Figures for July are up 1.0%. However, since the
revised figures for June are down 3.3%, July is below the May level.
8.
Clean Air: Progress is being made in Dingell's committee; in the
Duberstein
Senate, efforts are being made to meet the August 15 deadline.
9.
Legislative Priorities: Our priorities for the remainder of this
Darman
session will be discussed in Legislative Strategy at 9:45.
10. Radio Marti: Passed the House; prospects are good in Senate.
Duberstein
11. General Supplemental: Senate is still working on this. Money for
Duberstein
CBI is still in the bill. A strong veto signal has been sent, but
Hatfield says he will fight a veto.
12. Firefighters Bill: Involves $50,000 lump sum payment for certain
Wright
federal employees killed in the line of duty. It was pointed out
Meese
that federal payments are now made to state and local employees
under such circumstances. Decision was to quietly withdraw the
Stockman letter, though the issue will first be presented to the
President.
13. Civil Rights Commission: Due to dispute with OMB over $1M, the
Wright
chairman will testify today that the agency may need to RIF 30
Fuller
employees and close several offices. This is an undesirable
Harper
situation and should be checked into.
SENIOR STAFF MEETING ACTION ITEMS
ACTION
ITEMS
1. Tax Bill: Will probably come out of conference late to- Duberstein
night. Today at 10:00 the Chamber, Farm Bureau and NFIB
Cavaney
will announce their opposition to the bill. A suggestion
was made to get Paul Thayer and others to speak out in
support of the President's position.
Regarding the conference, the spending side was settled
favorably, very close to the target of $15.9B in cuts.
The AFDC reforms of 1981 have also been retained, but
the issue of 936 is still not settled.
One particular issue, completed contract, was thought to Meese
have been settled with a Legislative Strategy decision to
support the Holland proposal, thereby gaining construction
industry support. However, Treasury now says it still
strongly opposes Holland. Meese will talk with Regan to
clarify this.
2. Defense: conference on this is going well, but is not
Duberstein
yet concluded. We have won several issues, though, in-
cluding the MX.
3. General Supplemental: Bill is now out of conference and Duberstein
has passed the Senate; it will be on the House floor
Wright
today. There are many problems with it, including excess
domestic spending of around $850M, cuts in defense, and
a ceiling on security assistance to El Salvador.
4. Pilots/War Risk Insurance Bill: on motion by Kassebaum Duberstein
the bill is going back to conference.
5. Producer Price Index: figure is up 0.6% for July, which
is a +7.1% seasonally adjusted rate. This indicates con-
tinued progress against inflation. The industrial pro-
duction index was close to flat (-0.1%).
6. Handicapped Regulations: it was pointed out that despite Meese
heavy congressional votes against the regs, they became
Wright
effective yesterday. Wright will look into the matter
Fuller
further, and will then meet with Meese and Fuller to
decide our next step.
7. Antitrust: Regarding story that Baxter is selectively
Fuller
enforcing laws against manufacturers setting retail
Speakes
prices, Fuller will obatin guidance from Justice.
8. RNC: Richards will announce today that DeVoss has re-
signed as National Finance Chairman and will be replaced
by Mike Curb.
9. Inoperative Boards and Commissions: The President will Darman
sign an executive order terminating 25 inoperative
Von Damm
boards and commissions. A copy will be sent to Per-
sonnel so they will be able to alert any chairmen still
serving.
10. OMB Clearance Process: There has been some problem
Fuller
with agencies sending position statements to the Hill that
have not been properly cleared. The subject will be taken
up at a future meeting.
11. Beirut: There has been no real change in the situation.
Clark
We expect talks with the Lebanese to resume today.
SENIOR STAFF MEETING ACTION ITEMS (8/16/82)
ACTION
ITEMS
1.
Economic Policy: It was pointed out that the press
seems intent on obtaining quotes to show that
Reagonomics has failed; staff were cautioned to avoid
any comments that might be misconstrued.
2.
Speech on Tax Bill: Draft has been circulated with
comments due by 11:00; no major structural changes
should be suggested at this point. In particular,
the speech should refute the contention that the
President is retreating from his economic policies;
we should also assess whether the speech uses too
Darman
many figures.
3.
Defense Bill: Came out last week. Request will be
submitted for call to thank Senator Tower for his
help; call will also mention one outstanding issue.
Duberstein
4.
LA Times Story re Plans to Win a Nuclear War:
Guidance is that this story has run previously; the
report in question concentrates on a policy of
Speakes
deterrence.
5.
Tax Bill: Guidance is that the President fully
supports the conference report even though not all
of our proposed changes were made. Talking points
on the bill will be circulated sometime this morning. Speakes/Darman
6.
Abortion: Issue will come up this week during Senate
debate on the debt ceiling, and involves a disagree-
ment over whether the abortion problem should be
addressed by constitutional amendment or by legislation.
Immediate question is what our posture should be re
Duberstein
cloture on Helms bill.
7.
Tuition Tax Credits: Bill is going back to markup
tomorrow in Senate Finance Committee. A slight
change in anti-discrimination language has been signed
Duberstein
off on by Education, Justice, and WH.
8.
Veterans' Benefits: This issue involves effort to
restore Social Security benefits for survivors of
soldiers killed in action. Suggestion by Senator Dole
is to drop reference to this from presidential speech
Duberstein
being prepared.
SENIOR STAFF MEETING ACTION ITEMS (8/17/82)
ACTION
ITEMS
1. Schedule: Photo op is with DOE; departure statements
will be made. Re congressional meetings this afternoon,
more congressmen (including Lott) will be brought in by
Speakes/
Duberstein
reducing time spent with each to 10 minutes.
2. Speech: Reaction to speech reported by Comments Office
was 3-1 in support; more complete report will be ready
this morning. Speech was generally well-received.
Speakes
3. Taiwan Arms Statement: Should be put out as soon as
possible to minimize adverse conservative reaction.
Bistany and Clark will discuss bringing conservative
Clark/
Bistany
journalists in for briefing.
4. Housing Starts: July figures will be released later
today and will show a healthy increase; permits will
also be up.
5. Balanced Budget Amendment: Discharge petition in the House
needs about 20 more signatures. The issue is not dead for
this session: Prospects will depend on when Congress adjourns
in October. Suggestion was made to get facts out about how
much the President has personally done to move this issue
Duberstein
forward.
6. Clean Air Act: Senate is due to report a bill by Thursday.
In the House, Dingell and Waxman are trying to resolve
differences; Boyden Gray has also suggested certain calls
Dubersteir
that can be made to help move the bill out of committee.
Murphy
7. Schmitt Meeting: Will be held today to discuss copper
issue, which has a great effect on Schmitt's re-election.
Supplemental now contains $198M for this, but Schmitt
understands we may have to veto the bill. He will
probably seek a commitment to include this money in any
subsequent supplemental. Stockman has already sent
Meese/
letter opposing the expenditure. Meese will coordinate
Duberstei
development of a position for the meeting with Schmitt.
Wright
2
8. Crime: New package has been developed by Justice which
includes insanity defense, exclusionary rule, and habeas
corpus. Decision is that package should be announced
Fuller/
by President in his radio talk on August 28.
Darman
9. General Supplemental: Howard Baker asked for, and received,
a letter from Stockman outlining the consequences of
failure to pass a supplemental the President can sign.
The main problem would be inability to meet the military
payroll. OMB has also sent a letter to all agencies
pointing out the procedure to follow if their budget
comes out lower than their request; OMB will work with
agencies in that situation to find offsets.
Wright
10. Conservatives: An article in Newsweek pointed out that
certain conservative politicians plan to hold a mid-term
issues conference.
11. Tax Bill: So far, over 50 business organizations are
supporting the bill. NAM is with us and BRT should
follow. The Chamber remains officially opposed, though
a slim majority of the board is signing a letter of
support which can be used. A letter of support from a
number of labor unions will be ready today or tomorrow.
Cavaney
Regarding the President's activity, he should issue a
strong promise to veto budget-busting bills (perhaps
via a letter to Trent Lott today). The President
should also undertake some action to place him in
contact with ordinary citizens this week; personally
greeting the tour line in the East Wing was suggested.
Nofzige
12. Timber Bailout: Hearing will be held today. Our
position is that we will not forgive the contracts,
but we will be flexible on the timetable for payout.
Harper/
Duberstein will inform Hatfield in advance.
Duberstei
SENIOR STAFF MEETING ACTION ITEMS (8/18/82)
ACTION
ITEMS
1.
Schedule Changes: Congressional meeting will be held
from 11:15 to 12:00 in the State Dining Room; the
Deficit Reduction meeting is moved to 2:30; and a
congressional dinner is added at 7:00.
Deaver
2.
Personal Income: July figures rose 1% over June (which
showed a 0.4% increase. Also, the savings rate went
from 6.9% to 7.3% in June, and is expected to rise again
in July.
3.
School Prayer: Schmults will deliver testimony today.
Fuller
4.
Taiwan: Helms will release a statement on the subject
Duberstein/
Clark
today.
5.
Clean Air: Dingell's committee is trying to work out
Duberstein
differences on the bill.
6.
Immigration: A version very close to our proposal passed
the Senate yesterday. Chances of passage in the House
after recess are better than 50-50.
Duberstein
7.
Tax Bill: All senior staff with contacts on the Hill
are encouraged to make calls. A favorable poll on the
subject by Dick Wirthlin is being completed, and will
be distributed to House Republicans. Also, despite
news accounts to the contrary, Conable will support the
tax bill. A Republican conference will be held today
which may discuss filing suit to block the bill on
constitutional grounds; Fielding will prepare talking
Duberstein,
points re our views on constitutionality.
Fielding
Speakes will deal with misreporting of Stockman
statements in today's press briefing.
Speakes
Among outside groups, a majority of Chamber board
members now say they support the bill; a letter of
support from labor leaders will go out today, and
will especially be used with the Michigan and Ohio
delegations; and we will work with Iacocca to get a
Cavaney/
public statement of support from Riegle.
Fuller
8.
Reconciliation: Reason for failure in House yesterday
was due to back-door attempt at raising congressional
pay. The matter will come up again in the House.
Duberstein
SENIOR STAFF MEETING ACTION ITEMS (8/19/82)
ITEMS
ACTION
1.
Schedule: Time at 2:00 will be left open to brief
congressional leadership on Lebanon if necessary.
We will wait to see how House proceedings go on the
tax bill before deciding when and how the President
will respond to the Lebanese request.
Clark
2.
Tax Bill: Vote on the rule will occur between 12:00
and 1:00; debate on bill will then last 4 to 5 hours. Duberstein
3.
General Supplemental: Senators Baker and Hatfield
will meet with the President on this today. A time
should be set to brief the President on the bill and
the options available.
Duberstein
4.
Economic Figures: Corporate profit figures will be
out later today. A re-estimate of 2nd quarter GNP
showed revised growth of 1.3% (down from 1.7%).
5.
Taiwan: Arms statement probably did not cause any
votes to be lost on the tax bill. Overall, this
situation has calmed down; F5-E notification, which
goes up today, has helped.
Clark
6.
Tuition Tax Credits: Senator Bradley has raised
questions and submitted an extensive amendment;
Senator Dole seems inclined to delay vote until
the matter is resolved.
Duberstein
7.
Abortion/School Prayer: Report is that Helms combined
both issues into one bill, which violated an agreement
and opened the bill, subsequently, to a filibuster.
Helms, however, still feels he has a procedural argu-
ment that will allow a vote on the bill.
Duberstein
8.
Mount St. Helens: A problem has been caused by a
natural dam, formed by the eruption, which is in
danger of bursting. Over 40,000 people may need to
be evacuated. Governor Spellman has asked that a
state of emergency be proclaimed by the President
that will allow FEMA to help. Report is that the
President will sign the necessary proclamation
Williamson/
this morning.
Darman