I am returning herewith without my approval H.R. 2586, a bill that would provide a temporary increase in the public debt limit while adding extraneous measures that have no place on legislation of this kind.

Our condolences and prayers go out to the victims and their families.

I must veto this legislation.

I have proposed a balanced budget without these cuts.

This is only the third bill that I have been able to sign for this fiscal year.

I have repeatedly urged the Congress to pass promptly legislation raising the debt limit for a reasonable period of time to protect the Nation's creditworthiness and avoid default.

If we move too far too fast and we put a lot of these hospitals at risk, one of two things is going to happen.

We ought to be able to slow the rate of inflation in ways that people won't notice.

This legislation would raise Medicare premiums on senior citizens, and deeply cut education and environmental protection.

Will work closely with them in identifying those responsible for this cowardly act and bringing them to justice.

America does not react well to this kind of pressure.

I continue to be hopeful that we can find common ground on balancing the budget.

This bill I veto today is a big downpayment on that Republican congressional budget.

Indeed, when Congress did not pass the 13 appropriations bills to fund the government for fiscal year 1996 by September 30, we agreed on a fair continuing resolution that kept the Government operating and established a level playing field.

If I signed my name to this bill now, millions of elderly couples all across this country would be forced to sign away $264 more in Medicare premiums next year.

We are succeeding in slowing the rate of medical inflation.

This is not just an elderly issue.

I hereby certify that it is in the national interest to suspend application of the following provisions of law until December 31, 1995.