    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book I)]
    [July 20, 1993]
    [Page 1117]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Exchange With Reporters Prior to a Meeting With Congressional Leaders
    July 20, 1993

    Representative Dan Rostenkowski

        Q. Mr. President, do you think that Chairman Rostenkowski's legal
    problems will have any effect on the budget process?
        The President. No. We've got a lot of work to do. Chairman
    Rostenkowski's done a great job with this budget so far, and we've
    worked very closely together. And we're going to work today. I don't
    know anything about the rest of it. I just know that we're going to
    work. That's what we all got hired to do, and we're going to do our job.

    Energy Tax

        Q. Are you ready to give up on an energy tax?
        The President. No.
        Q. Does an energy tax have to be part of the program? There's a lot
    of move on Capitol Hill against it.
        The President. I know it. But if you look at all the numbers, it's
    hard to get there without it. So, I think we ought to----

    Note: The exchange began at 12:41 p.m. in the Old Family Dining Room at
    the White House. A tape was not available for verification of the
    content of this exchange.