[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[June 9, 1992]
[Page 912]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks Prior to a Meeting With Republican Congressional Leaders

June 9, 1992
    The President. May I make just a comment while the cameras are here 
and first say that we are pushing from here, and I am grateful of the 
support around this table, for this balanced budget amendment, 
constitutional amendment. Now I'm told that the leadership on the 
Democratic side, trying to block the balanced budget amendment, are 
coming up with something they call the balanced budget act, which does 
not balance the budget. It does not require the adoption of a balanced 
budget, and it's kind of a stalking horse to give cover to Members who 
don't want to vote for the balanced budget amendment. And we've got to 
fight hard against it. I'm making phone calls.
    The irony is that the Democratic leadership is fighting the balanced 
budget constitutional amendment, at the same time trying to ram through 
$2 billion in spending that's not required, all of which they declare an 
emergency so they can exempt it from the fiscal discipline of the budget 
act. And I think we've got to get that message out to the American 
people.
    I will sign an emergency appropriation for areas that are affected 
by these recently declared Presidential disasters. I'd also support, as 
I know everybody here knows, money for summer jobs, additional money 
that could actually be spent if they agreed to target it to the areas of 
actual need.
    But I would just strongly urge our continuing opposition to these 
tactics up there and do something for the American people who are very 
much concerned about the deficit. And we're trying to get spending under 
control. And now we've got a real opportunity to show the American 
people we can do something.
    I've approached this not in a partisan manner, working with many 
Democrats trying to get it through the House, the balanced budget 
amendment. And I'll keep doing that. But I really want to hear from you 
all in just a second as to how you feel we can get this one key job 
done, the same time making sure we're helping the cities in the sound 
way that we've proposed. They are not incompatible at all. So there we 
are.
    Q. Do you think you're going to win?
    The President. Well, we'll find that out from the leaders. I 
certainly hope so. The American people want it done. And here's a good, 
clear case to take to the Congress and say, look, the American people 
want this. Our troops are lined up solidly for it, advocating it, taking 
the case to the floor and elsewhere. But we've got to have some more 
bipartisan support for this.
    Thank you all very much.

                    Note: The President spoke at 9:50 a.m. in the 
                        Cabinet Room at the White House.