    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book I)]
    [January 2, 1996]
    [Pages 1-2]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Exchange With Reporters on the Budget Negotiations
    January 2, 1996

        Q. Mr. President, is this the meeting at which you're going to start
    making some compromises on the most contentious issues?
        The President. Well, I'm looking forward to it, and I hope we can
    reach an agreement. I want to compliment the Senate on voting to

    [[Page 2]]

    reopen the Government today for the next several days while we attempt
    to finalize this, and I hope the House will follow suit. That's a very
    good sign, and I'm looking forward to the meeting tonight.
        Q. Will the House follow suit, Mr. Speaker?
        Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich. Well, our Members will be back
    by noon tomorrow, and we hope to meet with all of them and brief them on
    tonight's meeting and whatever happens tomorrow morning and maybe get
    something done during the day tomorrow. I think if we can both get
    movement on the balanced budget and get the Government back to work and
    paid for, that really would be a good step in the right direction.
        Q. Will you encourage them to take the Senate bill?
        Speaker Gingrich. We're going to have a good meeting tonight, and
    we'll report to the Members what happened when they get back tomorrow.

    Note: The exchange began at 6:15 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House, prior to a meeting with congressional leaders. A tape was not
    available for verification of the content of this exchange.