[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book II)]
[November 1, 1993]
[Page 1878]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



[[Page 1878]]


Statement on Signing Legislation To Phase Out Wool and Mohair Subsidies
November 1, 1993

    Today, in signing S. 1548, something unusual will happen: a Federal 
program is being abolished so that more than a half billion dollars can 
be saved. This is a departure from business-as-usual in Washington, 
where programs seem destined to live forever, and Federal dollars raised 
from average Americans are treated as if they were meant to be spent or 
squandered instead of saved. But to accomplish the change my 
Administration is seeking, for the economy and for our country, it is no 
longer adequate to conduct the business of Government bound by the old 
arrangements. The legislation, which phases out the wool and mohair 
program, eliminates an outdated program, reduces the deficit, and 
affirms for the American people our commitment to change.
    In February of 1993, I sent to the Congress ``A Vision of Change for 
America,'' the budget document accompanying my economic reform program. 
Among the recommendations were reforms in the wool and mohair program; 
subsidies provided for nearly 40 years to wool and mohair producers when 
materials for uniforms and gloves were deemed by the Federal Government 
as ``strategic materials.'' Although the Department of Defense 
determined by 1960 that wool was no longer a strategic material, the 
subsidies continued. It would have been unthinkable to engage in an 
across-the-board effort to reduce the deficit--as we did in the 
beginning of our Administration--and not seek changes in this program.
    The Congress responded well to our recommendations: first, by 
providing a phase-down of the subsidies in the budget reconciliation 
legislation I signed last August; second, in the appropriations process 
when the Congress provided for a moratorium for one year on wool and 
mohair payments. The Vice President's National Performance Review 
suggested that the program be terminated. This legislation does 
precisely that.
    Since these products are no longer strategic materials; since the 
wealthiest producers receive the largest fraction of the payments; and 
since many program participants can focus their operations on other 
profitable sales, there is no justification for maintaining this program 
on the books. I therefore welcome the decision by the Congress to repeal 
the authority under which the program operates at the end of 1995, with 
payments reduced in the intervening years, so that the termination of 
the wool and mohair subsidy can occur in an orderly but final manner.
    This legislation reduces the deficit by $514 million over fiscal 
years 1994 to 1998.
    In February, when we first asked the Congress to reform this 
program, we initiated a national debate on changing the economic 
direction of our country. Since then, we have seen the Congress adopt 
nearly $500 billion in deficit reduction, and we have seen a marked and 
welcome change in our economic circumstances. We have seen positive 
changes in the deficit, and interest, inflation, and unemployment rates. 
Much, much more needs to be done. We need to do better in the creation 
of good-paying jobs. We need to make further reforms in spending by 
Washington, and we have proposed such reforms in the National 
Performance Review. We need to expand trade with adoption of the North 
American Free Trade Agreement. And, most of all, we must reform health 
care.
    In the past, our citizens might well assume that Washington could 
not adopt this much change. But, in 1993, the American people have seen 
their Government fulfill its commitments on a wide variety of issues. It 
is my hope, as I affix my signature on S. 1548, that this additional, 
promised reform expands their trust for the work we must undertake in 
the weeks and months ahead.

                                                      William J. Clinton

The White House,
November 1, 1993.

Note: S. 1548, approved November 1, was assigned Public Law No. 103-130.