    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1997, Book II)]
    [September 30, 1997]
    [Page 1278]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Signing Continuing Appropriations Legislation
    September 30, 1997

        I am pleased to have signed into law today House Joint Resolution
    94, a short-term continuing resolution for fiscal 1998.
        The Act provides 1998 appropriations for continuing projects and
    activities of the Federal Government through October 23, 1997, except
    those funded by the Military Construction Appropriations Act, 1998,
    which I signed into law earlier today.
        On May 2, 1997, I reached agreement with the congressional
    leadership on an historic Bipartisan Budget Agreement that balances the
    budget while honoring our values. Over the next few months, my
    Administration worked closely with the leadership to translate the
    agreement into law. On August 5, I was proud to sign two key elements of
    the agreement--the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 and the Taxpayers Relief
    Act of 1997. As the current fiscal year comes to a close, we must work
    together to enact the third element of the agreement, the appropriations
    bills for fiscal 1998.
        But to date, in a number of important instances, the Congress has
    failed to address matters specifically called for under the agreement.
    In certain other instances, the Congress has addressed policy issues in
    ways that make the pending appropriations bills unacceptable. I urge the
    Congress to approve 1998 spending bills that include the items contained
    in the agreement and to provide funding for other priority programs.
        To give the Congress time to adopt such bills, I have approved this
    continuing resolution.

                                                          William J. Clinton

    The White House,

    September 30, 1997.

    Note: H.J. Res. 94, approved September 30, was assigned Public Law No.
    105-46.