    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book I)]
    [April 4, 2000]
    [Page 619]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Supplemental Budget Request
    April 4, 2000

        I am very disappointed that Senator Lott plans to deny prompt
    consideration of the urgent and essential needs in my 2000 supplemental
    request, including helping victims of Hurricane Floyd, providing energy
    assistance for families struggling with rising oil prices, helping keep
    illegal drugs out of our country by supporting the Colombian
    Government's fight against drug traffickers, and building peace and
    stability in Kosovo to support the efforts of our troops there without
    jeopardizing our current state of military readiness worldwide. It is
    also essential to provide debt relief for the world's poorest nations
    undertaking economic reforms so that they can join the global economy.
        I firmly believe that any action to delay consideration of these
    pressing needs would impose unnecessary costs to Americans at home, to
    our interests abroad, and to our military readiness around the world.
    Therefore, I urge the Senate to consider the interests of the Nation and
    to move ahead quickly with work on these urgent and essential needs.