[House Document 106-306]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



                                     

106th Congress, 2d Session - - - - - - - - - - - - Document 106-306


 
                       VETO MESSAGE ON H.R. 4516

                               __________

                                MESSAGE

                                  from

                   THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              transmitting

HIS VETO OF H.R. 4516, A BILL MAKING APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE LEGISLATIVE 
  BRANCH FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 20, 2001, AND FOR OTHER 
                               PURPOSES.




  November 1, 2000.--Message and accompanying papers referred to the 
         Committee on Appropriations and ordered to be printed
To the House of Representatives:
    I am returning herewith without my approval, H.R. 4516, the 
Legislative Branch and the Treasury and General Government 
Appropriations Act, 2001. This bill provides funds for the 
legislative branch and the White House at a time when the 
business of the American people remains unfinished.
    The Congress' continued refusal to focus on the priorities 
of the American people leaves me no alternative but to veto 
this bill. I cannot in good conscience sign a bill that funds 
the operations of the Congress and the White House before 
funding our classrooms, fixing our schools, and protecting our 
workers.
    With the largest student enrollment in history, we need a 
budget that will allow us to repair and modernize crumbling 
schools, reduce class size, hire more and better trained 
teachers, expand after-school programs, and strengthen 
accountability to turn around failing schools.
    I would sign this legislation in the context of a budget 
that puts the interests of the American people before self 
interest or special interests. I urge the Congress to get its 
priorities in order and send me, without further delay, 
balanced legislation I can sign.

                                                William J. Clinton.
    The White House, October 30, 2000.