[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 27 (Monday, February 10, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S961-S962]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE

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   BUDGET OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021--PM 45

  The PRESIDING OFFICER laid before the Senate the following message 
from the President of the United States, together with an accompanying 
report; which was referred jointly, pursuant to the order of January 
30, 1975, as modified by the order of April 11, 1986; to the Committees 
on Appropriations; and the Budget:

To the Congress of the United States:
  Over the past 3 years, my Administration has worked tirelessly to 
restore America's economic strength. We have ended the war on American 
workers and stopped the assault on American industry, launching an 
economic boom the likes of which we have never seen before.
  While our incredible economic turnaround came as a shock to most 
career politicians in Washington, it is no surprise to millions of 
hard-working families across the Nation. Their natural talent, 
ingenuity, and strength simply needed an opportunity to flourish, free 
from the massive regulations and taxes heaped upon them by their 
Government.
  As my Administration continues to remove these burdens, our economy 
continues to surpass expectations. We are growing faster than the 
experts thought possible. The unemployment rate is at 3.5 percent, the 
lowest it has been in 50 years. And more Americans are working today 
than at any point in our history.
  Today's tremendous job market is leading employers to realize the 
vast potential of many individuals they previously overlooked. Over the 
past 3

[[Page S962]]

years, the employment rate of our prime-age workers has skyrocketed, 
and wages are growing the fastest for historically disadvantaged 
workers, reversing trends under the previous administration.
  With this 2021 Budget, my Administration is placing a special focus 
on these forgotten Americans, because every individual deserves to 
experience the dignity that comes through work. The truth is, jobs do 
not just provide paychecks: they give people purpose; allow them to 
engage with their communities; and help them reach their true 
potential. As we have shown, the right policies offer Americans paths 
to independence rather than trapping them in reliance on Government 
programs.
  The era of putting American workers second and doubling down on the 
failed policies of the past is over. While job creation during my 
Presidency has surpassed expectations, the credit belongs to the job 
creators and workers who risk everything and devote themselves to 
building a better future for themselves, their families, and their 
Nation. The Federal Government does not create jobs; hardworking 
Americans create jobs. My Administration's role is to follow our 
foundational policy pillars and allow our job creators and workers to 
do what they do best.
  To ensure this economic strength continues, I have called on the 
Government to reduce wasteful, unnecessary spending, and to fix 
mismanagement and redundancy across agencies. This includes 
prioritizing spending for programs that are a core function of the 
United States Government.
  As we enter the 2020's, our Nation confronts new challenges and 
opportunities. The 21st century requires us to focus on great power 
rivals; prioritize artificial intelligence, 5G, and industries of the 
future; and to protect our research and environment from foreign 
government influence. To meet these challenges and seize these 
opportunities, we must shift the Government out of its old and outdated 
ways. This will require each and every Government agency to do more to 
prepare for the demands of tomorrow.
  The following are key priorities of my Administration:
  Better Trade Deals. Renegotiated or new trade deals with Canada and 
Mexico, China, South Korea, and Japan are modernizing international 
trade and creating freer, fairer, and more reciprocal trade between the 
United States and our largest economic partners. These deals will 
enable our country's manufacturing renaissance to continue. Trade deals 
are in development with the United Kingdom and the European Union, as 
well as other countries that desire access to the coveted American 
market. These deals will expand American markets abroad and keep 
businesses here in America, which means keeping jobs here at home.
  Preserving Peace through Strength. To sustain security at home and 
promote American interests abroad, my Administration has rebuilt the 
military. A strong military, fully equipped and integrated with our 
allies and all our instruments of power, enables our Nation to deter 
war, preserve peace, and, if necessary, defeat aggression against the 
United States and her people. To that end, my Budget requests $740.5 
billion for national defense.
  Overcoming the Opioid Crisis. Because of my Administration's 
aggressive tactics to fight over-prescription of opioids, promote 
effective treatment for addiction, and secure the border, we are 
turning the tide of the opioid crisis. Since my term began, we have 
seen a more than 30 percent decrease in the total amount of opioids 
prescribed, and deaths from drug overdose fell for the first time in 
nearly 30 years in 2018.
  Failure is not an option when it comes to helping people avoid the 
pain, suffering, and death caused by addiction. Work must play an 
integral role in any solution. Research shows that holding a job is a 
key factor in helping people overcome drug addiction. For the duration 
of my Presidency, I will continue to promote policies that will beat 
back this deadly crisis and promote job training and employment 
opportunities for Americans who are rebuilding their lives after 
struggling with addiction.
  Regulation Relief. Many pundits and Washington insiders laughed when 
I promised to cut two regulations for every new regulation. They were 
correct that two-for-one was the wrong goal. Instead, the Federal 
Government has cut more than seven regulations for every significant 
new regulation. After only 3 years, my Administration has cut a 
historic number of regulations, and we have put the brakes on an 
endless assault of new, costly actions by Federal agencies.
  Our commitment to regulatory reform stems from the simple truth that 
the vast majority of business owners want to do the right thing, comply 
with the law, and treat their workers fairly. The Federal Government 
ignored this reality for far too long and abused its authority to go 
after businesses, especially small businesses and entrepreneurs, in 
ways that can only be described as arbitrary and abusive.
  At the same time, we are maintaining America's world-class standards 
of environmental protection. Emissions of all criteria pollutants 
dropped between 2016 and 2018. The United States environmental record 
is one of the strongest in the world and continues to have some of the 
cleanest air and water in the world.
  American Energy Independence. American energy powers our cities and 
towns, empowers innovators, drives our economy, and protects our 
sovereignty. Energy companies across the world are ready to build in 
our Nation, and permitting reform that cuts red tape shows that we 
welcome their investments. My Administration continues to support 
growth in the energy sector by removing unnecessary regulations and 
unleashing America's vast natural and human resources. Through these 
actions, the United States is now on track to be a net exporter of 
crude oil and natural gas for all of 2020, a major milestone not 
achieved in nearly 70 years. In addition to being the world's largest 
natural gas producer, we also became the world's top crude oil producer 
in 2018.
  The records of our energy boom are widespread. Energy production has 
created jobs in areas of the United States where job opportunities were 
scarce. It also provides enormous benefits to families across the 
Nation by lowering energy prices. And it further distances us from 
geopolitical foes who wish to cause us harm. More jobs, lower costs, 
and American dominance--these are predictable results of our pro-energy 
policies.
  Today, there is hope throughout America. There is optimism that was 
not here before 63 million Americans asked me to work for them and 
drain the swamp. For decades, Washington elites told us that Americans 
had no choice but to accept stagnation, decay, and decline.
  We proved them wrong. Our economy is strong once more, and America's 
role as leader of the Free World has been restored.
  America is the single greatest country in the world. We must never 
believe for one moment that this great Nation is destined for a 
diminished future. When we take hold of our freedom, and take our 
destiny in our hands, we choose to reject a future of American decline. 
My 2021 Budget sets the course for a future of continued American 
dominance and prosperity.
                                                     Donald J. Trump.  
The White House, February 10, 2020.

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