    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book I)]
    [January 27, 1993]
    [Pages 16-17]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Exchange With Reporters Prior to a Meeting With Congressional Leaders
    January 27, 1993

        Q. Mr. President, would you consider backing down on your lifting
    the ban on gays in the military because of the opposition?
        The President. We're not here to discuss that. We're here to discuss
    the economy, which is all I discussed yesterday with congressional
    leadership, contrary to----
        Q. But would you consider----
        The President. We're here to discuss the economy.
        Q. Have you decided on a consumption tax yet?
        The President. No----
        Q. Are you closer to a decision----

    [[Page 17]]

        The President. I'm going to give a speech to the joint session
    February 17th, and we'll lay out my program then. But I've not made any
    decisions yet. This is the first opportunity I've had to meet with the
    economic leadership of Congress.
        Q. [Inaudible]--you decide, or announce what you've decided on a
    consumption tax in your--a joint address----
        The President. [Inaudible]
        Q. Is this gay-in-the-military issue distracting you at all, sir,
    from the----
        The President. No, it's distracting you, it's not distracting--
    [laughter].
        Q. Can you reach $145 billion in deficit reductions without a
    consumption tax?
        The President. I don't know the answer to that. We're working on it.

    Note: The exchange began at 2:10 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House. A tape was not available for verification of the content of this
    exchange.