Bill Clinton

I am vetoing H.R. 2586, which the congressional leadership sent to me last night.

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 urge the Congress to meet its responsibilities by sending me the remaining regular FY 1996 appropriations bills in acceptable form.

This is not just an elderly issue.

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.

This bill would make it almost inevitable that the Government would default for the first time in our history.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

America does not react well to this kind of pressure.

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

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.

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

I must veto this legislation.

I have proposed a balanced budget without these cuts.

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

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.

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

If America must close down access to quality education, a clean environment and affordable health care for our seniors, in order to keep the government open, then that price is too high.

I cannot do it, and I will not do it.

The bill supports the Administration's proposal to reinvent the Department of Energy to improve the way it serves the American people.

I don't want to destroy Medicare or Medicaid.