[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book I)]
[June 3, 1996]
[Page 850]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Exchange With Reporters
June 3, 1996

Balanced Budget Amendment

    Q. Mr. President, Bob Dole is challenging you today to support a 
constitutional amendment to balance the budget. What do you say to Bob 
Dole?
    The President. That he ought to come back to the budget negotiations 
and let's balance the budget.
    Q. What's wrong with a constitutional amendment, though?
    The President. He's pushed off the decision. Why don't we do it 
right now? We've got all the money we need. We can balance the budget 
tomorrow; all he has to do is come back to the negotiations. They walked 
out months ago. They should come back, take the savings we have in 
common, put it in the grill and, presto, we've got a balanced budget. We 
still have to make these decisions. That's what we ought to do.
    Q. Do you think he's going to propose cutting taxes, and how would 
you respond to that?
    The President. I don't know about that. I'm just going to work.

President's Health

    Q. How are you feeling, and have you picked a new Chief of Naval 
Operations?
    Q. How do you feel?
    The President. Great.

Note: The exchange began at 11:32 a.m. in the Rose Garden at the White 
House, prior to discussions with Lech Walesa, former President of 
Poland. A tape was not available for verification of the content of this 
exchange.