    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book II)]
    [October 3, 1995]
    [Pages 1533-1534]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the House of Representatives Returning Without Approval the
    Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill, FY 1996
    October 3, 1995

    To the House of Representatives:
        I am returning today without my approval H.R. 1854, the
    ``Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill, FY 1996.''
        H.R. 1854 is, in fact, a disciplined bill, one that I would sign
    under different circumstances. But, at this point, Congress has
    completed action on only two of the 13 FY 1996 appropriations bills:
    this one and H.R. 1817, the Military Construction appropriations bill.
    Thus, the vast majority of Federal activities lack final FY 1996 funding
    and are operating under a short-term continuing resolution.
        I appreciate the willingness of Congress to work with my
    Administration to produce an acceptable short-term continuing resolution
    before completing action on the regular, full-year appropriations bills
    for FY 1996. I believe, however, that it would be inappropriate to
    provide full-year regular funding for Congress and its offices while
    funding for most other activities of Government remains incomplete,
    unresolved, and uncertain.
        As I said two months ago, I don't think Congress should take care of
    its own business before it takes care of the people's business. I stated

    [[Page 1534]]

    that if the congressional leadership were to follow through on its plan
    to send me its own funding bill before finishing work on the rest of the
    budget, I would veto it. I am now following through on that commitment.
        I urge the Congress to move forward promptly on completing the FY
    1996 appropriations bills in a form that I can accept.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,

    October 3, 1995.