    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [March 6, 1998]
    [Page 336]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Senate Action To Continue the Disadvantaged Business
    Enterprise Initiative
    March 6, 1998

        I am pleased that the Senate, in a strong bipartisan vote of 58 to
    37, today retained the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program within
    the ISTEA bill, which provides expanded economic opportunity for women-
    and minority-owned businesses. This program was enacted into law under
    President Reagan in response to extremely low participation rates by
    women and minorities in federally assisted highway and transit
    construction projects.
        In particular, I want to applaud Senators Baucus and Chafee, who garnered
    widespread support for the continuation of this important program.
        Today's vote reaffirms my administration's ``Amend it; don't end
    it'' approach to affirmative action and promoting equal opportunity. We
    are now one step closer to getting an important, multi-billion
    transportation bill enacted into legislation.