    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
    [November 3, 1999]
    [Page 1962]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Proposed Appropriations for the District of Columbia
    November 3, 1999

        After bipartisan negotiations to resolve the District of Columbia
    appropriations bill, Congress and my administration agreed to provide
    essential funding for the District while modifying some of the most
    objectionable provisions infringing on the rights of local citizens to
    make decisions about local matters, the principle of home rule.
        I would have signed this legislation, but the House attached to it
    highly objectionable legislation that would have failed to fund
    important priorities in education, health, and other areas and would
    have resulted in an across-the-board cut in funding for important
    programs from defense and veterans' programs to education, law
    enforcement, and the environment.
        Unfortunately, the House voted today on a replacement DC bill that
    runs contrary to the earlier bipartisan agreement and undercuts the
    progress that has been made for the benefit of the people of the
    District of Columbia. The consensus bill on the District passed by both
    Houses remains acceptable to me, and I would sign it if it were
    presented as a stand-alone bill or unattached to objectionable
    legislation. I urge Congress to act for the benefit of the citizens of
    the District and our Nation's Capital by sending me the agreed-upon
    legislation, unencumbered by objectionable legislation or provisions.