[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 4, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H270]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 BUDGET OF UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2004--MESSAGE FROM 
         THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES (H. DOC. NO. 108-3)

  The SPEAKER pro tempore laid before the House the following message 
from the President of the United States; which was read and, together 
with the accompanying papers, without objection, referred to the 
Committee on Appropriations and ordered to be printed:


                  the budget message of the president

  The budget for 2004 meets the challenges posed by three national 
priorities: winning the war against terrorism, securing the homeland, 
and generating long-term economic growth. It restrains the growth in 
federal spending and addresses the long-term fiscal challenge presented 
by Medicare and Social Security's unfunded promises. This year's budget 
also helps America meet its goals both at home and overseas.
  We remain at war with an enemy that seeks to use murder, stealth, and 
fear against all free nations. Yet our response has been resolute. The 
people of Afghanistan have been freed from the oppressive regime that 
sponsors the terrorists who planned and carried out the attacks of 
September 11, 2001. We are hunting down the terrorist leaders and their 
collaborators, one by one. And we continue to disrupt their plots, shut 
down their financing, and deny them safe haven.
  We have moved to secure the nation's safety. Just 10 days ago, the 
new Department of Homeland Security began operations in the biggest 
reorganization of the Federal Government in a half-century. The 
cabinet-level department unifies the work of 22 programs and agencies 
and will move quickly to better protect Americans from threats here at 
home. We also have moved to defend America's interests abroad, and to 
confront danger wherever it emerges. Working with our allies and 
partners, we will face down regimes that govern by fear and deception, 
and we will devote the necessary resources to protect ourselves and our 
friends against the use of weapons of mass destruction.
  We are strengthening our economy by allowing American families to 
keep more of their own money and encouraging businesses to save, spend, 
and grow. While the economy is growing, it is not growing fast enough. 
Too many Americans who want to work can't find a job, and too many 
American families are falling behind.
  The growth and jobs plan I outlined earlier this year will provide 
critical momentum to our economic recovery. For every American paying 
income taxes, I propose speeding up the tax cuts already approved by 
the Congress, because Americans need that relief today. And for 
America's 84 million investors, and those who will become investors, I 
propose eliminating the double taxation of stock dividends. Double 
taxation is unfair and bad for our economy.
       Government cannot manage or control the economy. But 
     government can remove the barriers blocking stronger economic 
     growth. My plan will give Americans more tools to achieve 
     that growth.
       A recession and a war we did not choose have led to the 
     return of deficits. My Administration firmly believes in 
     controlling the deficit and reducing it as the economy 
     strengthens and our national security interests are met. 
     Compared to the overall federal budget and the $10.5 trillion 
     national economy, our budget gap is small by historical 
     standards. By protecting our vital national security 
     interests and promoting economic growth, we will meet the 
     challenges and concerns of the American people. We will not 
     let them down.
       I will also insist on spending discipline in Washington 
     D.C., so we can meet our priorities. We must prepare for the 
     future costs of Social Security and Medicare. My budget takes 
     the first steps toward modernizing Medicare and includes 
     prescription drug coverage.
       We will continue to focus on getting results from federal 
     spending. A federal program's measure of success is not its 
     size, but the value it delivers. And my budget will focus on 
     this goal in a new and important way. If federal programs 
     cannot show results, they should be overhauled, or retired.
       And while human compassion cannot be summarized in dollars 
     and cents, this budget addresses the many challenges our 
     society faces: bridging the gap for low-income families, so 
     they can buy affordable homes; helping communities of faith 
     pull the addicted from the grip of drugs; lifting children 
     out of poverty and hopelessness by creating good schools and 
     offering them caring adult mentors; and easing the pain and 
     hardship of the global epidemic of AIDS.
  Some of the challenges we face will endure for many years and require 
great resources. As we look down that path, we will not always get to 
choose which battles we fight. It is, however, our duty to fight them. 
History may not remember every single way we contributed to this 
nation's betterment, but it will remember if we failed to try. The 
courage to take on challenges, and the enterprise with which we have 
succeeded in meeting them, have always distinguished America. This same 
courage and enterprise will help America meet these challenges, and 
prevail once again.
                                                       George W. Bush. 
February 3, 2003.

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