    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book II)]
    [September 16, 1996]
    [Page 1588]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Signing the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1997
    September 16, 1996

        I have today signed into law H.R. 3754, the ``Legislative Branch
    Appropriations Act, 1997.''
        The Act provides fiscal year 1997 appropriations for the Congress,
    the Congressional Budget Office, the Architect of the Capitol, the
    General Accounting Office, the Government Printing Office, and the
    Library of Congress.
        I am especially pleased to sign into law a provision that will allow
    blind and visually impaired persons to get earlier access to books and
    other reading matter. As a result of an agreement between the publishing
    industry and advocates for people with disabilities, books can now be
    converted into alternative formats such as Braille as soon as they
    appear in print. Prior to this change, the Library of Congress and other
    organizations that sought to provide these materials had to obtain
    permission from copyright holders on a case by case basis, leading to
    lengthy delays in access to all types of reading material. This law will
    help us reach our goal of full inclusion of people with disabilities.
        I am also pleased with the provision that encourages the Senate to
    transfer excess or surplus computers and other educationally useful
    equipment to public schools at the lowest possible cost. This
    complements our initiative to encourage Federal agencies to do the same
    to help integrate technology into school curriculums, and ensure that
    all students have the skills they will need to succeed in the
    information-intensive 21st century.
        I am disappointed, however, that the Congress has passed up yet
    another opportunity to establish a drug testing policy for those who
    work in the legislative branch. The Congress should follow the example
    of the White House and the other executive branch agencies and establish
    a comprehensive testing program for illegal drug use.
        I urge the Congress to complete action on the remaining regular FY
    1997 appropriations bills and to send them to me in an acceptable form.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,

    September 16, 1996.

    Note: H.R. 3754, approved September 16, was assigned Public Law No. 104-
    197. This statement was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on
    September 17.