Richard Nixon: “That goal is, by the year 1980, to be independent in energy.”

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.

I firmly believe that our current fiscal situation demands national unanimity on the issues of a larger concern.

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

I have done my very best in all the days since to be true to that pledge.