    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book I)]
    [June 6, 1997]
    [Pages 708-709]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the National Economy
    June 6, 1997

        Four years ago, we put in place an economic strategy that has helped
    give America the strongest economy in the world. That strategy had three
    critical components: cutting the budget deficit; making smart
    investments in education, the environment, and our children; and opening
    new markets through tough trade agreements.
        Today we received one more piece of solid evidence that this invest-
    and-grow strategy is working. We learned that our economy added 138,000
    new jobs and that unemployment dropped to 4.8 percent, the lowest in 24
    years. The American economy has now added 12.3 million new jobs since I
    took office, and unemployment has now been below 6 percent for almost 3
    years. America's economy is the strongest it has been in a generation.
        Now we must press forward with the economic strategy that we adopted
    in 1993 and that has helped create the conditions for sustained growth.
    The balanced budget agreement I reached with leaders of Congress
    embodies our strategy. It is a balanced budget that is in balance with
    our values, and yesterday's strong endorsement of it by the House and
    Senate ratifies that economic strategy. This bipartisan action is a
    hopeful sign that both parties can work together to keep our economy
    growing. I look forward to working with leaders of both parties to write
    our balanced budget plan into law.

    [[Page 709]]

        The progress of the balanced budget shows what America can
    accomplish when we reach across party lines and work together.
    Unfortunately, the Republican leaders of Congress have chosen the path
    of partisanship and confrontation in their actions on the disaster
    relief bill. Because congressional leaders chose to attach unacceptable
    political items to vital disaster relief legislation, I have no choice
    but to veto that measure. Once again, I call on the Congress to honor
    the sacrifice and aid the recovery of the families in the Dakotas,
    Minnesota, and across the country by passing straightforward disaster
    relief legislation and sending it to my desk.