    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
    [July 22, 1999]
    [Page 1304]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on House Action on a Proposed Republican Tax Cut
    July 22, 1999

        Last night the Republicans went behind closed doors, not to
    strengthen Medicare and Social Security, but to provide political cover
    for their exploding tax cut. Today the Republicans charged ahead and
    passed a plan that threatens our ability to pay off the debt and
    strengthen Social Security and Medicare. The plain fact is that their
    tax plan is designed to explode to a $3 trillion cost at the very time
    that Medicare and Social Security come under strain. It would also force
    deep and devastating cuts in a broad range of domestic programs,
    including education, the environment, and law enforcement. If the
    Republicans send me a plan that undermines our ability to reform Social
    Security and Medicare and abandons the fiscal discipline that has helped
    to fuel our economic growth, I will send it straight back with a veto.