    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1994, Book II)]
    [September 30, 1994]
    [Pages 1671-1672]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Congressional Completion of Appropriations Legislation
    September 30, 1994

        I want to thank the House and Senate leadership, Senator Byrd and
    Congressman Obey, the chairmen of the Appropriations Committees, and
    their colleagues for their leadership and assistance. And I would be
    remiss if I didn't say how sorry I am that Congressman Natcher could not
    be with us to enjoy this achievement.
        We are making a start at putting our country's fiscal house in
    order. After years of partisan bickering, after years of rising
    deficits, it was time for Washington to get Federal spending under
    control. Our economic plan adopted by Congress last year gave us this
    start.
        Our 5 year deficit reduction plan put into place rigid controls on
    Government spending. It has produced 2 years of declining deficit for
    the first time in 20 years. We are reducing Federal employment by
    272,000 positions, placing us on a path to the smallest Federal
    Government since John Kennedy was President. We

    [[Page 1672]]

    are making a start on running Washington the way Americans run their
    households at home, within budget limits, paying the bills on time.
        For the first time since 1948, the Congress has adopted all 13
    Appropriations for signing by the President before the end of the fiscal
    year, all 13 bills, on time, within the rigid spending restraints
    required by our economic plan.
        The economic recovery gathering strength across our country is being
    built on this kind of progress. We have embarked on a journey to rebuild
    and renew the American economy. We haven't finished the job, but we are
    going to keep moving forward, keep cutting spending, and we're not going
    back.