Richard Nixon: “We shall all be the poorer for his passing.”

This, more than anything, is what I hope will be my legacy to you, to our country, as I leave the Presidency.

This legislation exceeds my budgetary recommendations by such a large amount--some $540 million--that it presents a clear and distinct threat to our fight against inflation and cannot be accepted.

In keeping Federal spending under control, we do not intend, of course, to single out only farm or environmental programs.

It is regrettable that the Congress has seen fit to add to a bill of such importance to our national security a rider adversely affecting the constitutional separation of powers.