Richard Nixon: “The Commission has informed me that reforms are essential, reforms that cannot be made within existing law.”

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 invite the Governors of the States and of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and other officials at the local level to issue similar proclamations.

Two weeks ago, I vowed to the American people that any appropriations bill substantially above my budget for fiscal year 1975 would be vetoed.

This was a serious act of omission for which I take full responsibility and which I deeply regret.