Bill Clinton

We know that reducing drug use will require everyone's effort.

I am returning herewith without my approval H.R. 1977, the 'Department of the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996.'

I am also directing you to take all appropriate steps to encourage States to adopt and implement the same policies that we are initiating at the Federal level.

The cycle must be broken.

The bill makes wrong-headed choices with regard to the management and preservation of some of our most precious assets.

It is wrong for the Congress to shut the Government down just to make a political point the week before Christmas.

Illegal drugs plague our communities, causing despair and illness, and, most importantly, contributing significantly to unacceptable levels of crime and violence.

Too often, the same criminal drug users cycle through the court, corrections, and probation systems still hooked on drugs and still committing crimes to support their habit.

So for them to cause a shutdown, denying Americans the services their tax dollars support, as a tactic in the budget debate is wrong.

We're going to keep working, trying to reach as much agreement among ourselves as possible.

It is wrong for them to shut the Government down again just before Christmas.

The Republican plan would raise taxes for over 7 million of our hardest pressed working families.

The cuts they propose would deprive millions of people of health care: poor children, pregnant women, the disabled, seniors in nursing homes.

We are determined, as Democrats, to try to work together and to try to work with the Republicans to achieve a balanced budget but in a way that is consistent with our principles.

If the Republican plan becomes law, millions of children would be denied basics they need: health care they now have, schooling they can count on, school lunches, a safe place to live, or air and water we can be sure is safe to breathe and…

Yes, you know, it's the winter; we have snow. We have first one thing, then another, but I think we're going forward in good faith and in an appropriate way.

All I can tell you is the cease-fire has been in place for a couple of months. It has basically held. There have been many things that have happened in the last 3 years. I'm sure many people have different feelings, but we believe these…

As you know, we will be having formal ceremonies later today, and more remarks will be made then. I just want to say very briefly, because we want to get on to our meeting, that I applaud these leaders for making the decision to turn from…

I am pleased to announce that I have nominated Gen. Joseph W. Ralston, U.S. Air Force, for assignment as Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The Secretary of State would recommend that the President veto the bill.

The world is looking for our leadership for peace because they know America can be trusted.

Without pause or complaint, they took it upon themselves to bring the gift of peace and freedom to others around the world.

They understood that our leadership requires our involvement and our commitment.

Congress should act quickly.

We will never forget them.