    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book I)]
    [January 5, 1995]
    [Pages 17-18]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks and an Exchange With Reporters on the Legislative Agenda
    January 5, 1995

        The President. I want to welcome the new congressional leadership
    and congratulate them. I was pleased with what I heard and saw
    yesterday, and I think that we're off to a good start. The real work is
    now beginning.
        I note that there are several areas where I believe that we can work
    together and where I hope we can work rapidly, congressional reform, the
    line-item veto. I hope we can do something on lobbying reform and on
    campaign finance reform. I believe that there are areas we can work
    together on welfare reform, on health care reform. We can do a lot of
    things.
        I think we all know that we're expert in stopping things. What we
    want to do is prove now we can work together to make things happen. And
    I'm encouraged by what I've heard and seen.
        I also think there is a consensus in this country that we shouldn't
    do anything that would increase the deficit, hurt the middle class, hurt
    poor people who are trying to work their way into the middle class, or
    do anything that would undermine our economic recovery. So on that
    basis, I think we can look forward to a good Congress. I'm excited about
    it and ready to go. And I'm glad they're here.
        Q. Is it like a compromise--between you and me--[laughter]--is it
    going to be compromise or combat?
        The President. My answer to that is, Mr. Gingrich will whisper into
    your right ear, and I will whisper into your left ear. [Laughter]

    Note: The President spoke at 10:13 a.m. in the Cabinet Room at the White
    House, prior to a meeting with congressional leaders. A tape was not
    available for verification of the content of these remarks.

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