    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1999, Book I)]
    [April 14, 1999]
    [Page 551]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 551]]

    Statement on House Action on the Republican Budget Proposal
    April 14, 1999

        The budget passed by House Republicans falls short of what the
    American people need for meeting the challenges of the 21st century. It
    fails to lock away the surplus to strengthen Social Security and
    Medicare, and it fails to meet many of America's other critical needs
    for the future. The fiscal discipline of the past 6 years has given us a
    historic opportunity to meet our Nation's most serious long-term
    challenges. I will continue to work with the Congress to use the surplus
    to pay down our national debt, to strengthen Social Security and
    Medicare, to encourage our people to save for the future, and to meet
    our defense, education, and other long-term needs.