[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.