The Republican Congress has failed to take responsible action to prevent default for the first time in our history.

Let us each take time to appreciate the value of our family relationships and rededicate ourselves to building essential ties of kinship among all people.

I urge all the people of the United States to reaffirm their own familial bonds and to reach out to others in friendship and goodwill.

I urge smokers and non-smokers alike to take this opportunity to begin healthier lifestyles that set a positive example for young people.

I call upon Federal, State, and local officials to honor American families with appropriate ceremonies and programs;

I strongly believe their budget plan is bad for America.

The Government is partially shutting down because Congress has failed to pass the straightforward legislation necessary to keep the Government running.

I vetoed the spending bill sent to me by Congress last night because America can never accept under pressure what it would not accept in free and open debate.

We can balance the budget without the deep cuts in education, without the deep cuts in the environment, without letting Medicare wither on the vine.

We will do our very best to minimize this hardship.

Eliminating those elements of economic regulation that no longer enhance productivity and competitiveness is a primary Administration priority.

This bill, however, would threaten the Nation with default after December 12.

The bill provides important funding for many major programs in these agencies.

It is critically important that the President not permit this budget to be passed in a backdoor way.

America can balance the budget without extreme cuts in Medicare, Medicaid, education or the environment—and that is what we must do.

The bill would severely limit the cash management options that the Treasury may be able to use to avert a default.

I will continue to fight for my principles: a balanced budget that does not undermine Medicare, education or the environment, and that does not raise taxes on working families.

I am returning herewith without my approval H.J. 115, the Second Continuing Resolution for fiscal year 1996.