[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: GEORGE W. BUSH (2001, Book I)]
[March 23, 2001]
[Pages 289-291]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Exchange With Reporters in Portland, Maine
March 23, 2001

Expulsion of Russian Diplomats

    Q. In response to the fact that the Russians responded in kind----
    The President. They can make whatever decisions they deem necessary. 
Our country took the right course of action.
    Q. What message does it send, though, do you think?
    The President. It says that we will be firm and consistent in our 
foreign policy.

[At this point, the President continued his tour of the Salvation Army 
Senior Center.]

Tax Relief Legislation

    Q. One more question, Mr. President.
    The President. Same subject?
    Q. No, on tax cuts. Even if, with retroactivity, the size of the 
package were to get bigger than $1.6 trillion, is it worthwhile if it 
provides more money for people up front during this slowing economy?
    The President. Well, I think we can accelerate tax relief--we should 
accelerate tax relief--and keep the size of the tax relief package at 
the same level. I'm confident we can do both. And I've told those who 
think it ought to be smaller and those who think it ought to be bigger 
that it ought to be $1.6 trillion.
    The key thing is to make sure that we have tax relief that's 
meaningful, and to get as much money in the people's pockets as quickly 
as possible to provide a stimulus package.
    Q. But how do you do both?
    The President. Well, that's what we're going to work with the 
Congress on, is to make sure that we come with a size of the package 
that fits into the budget and at the same time, get money into people's 
pockets as quickly as possible. There are ways to do that. You could 
delay one aspect

[[Page 290]]

of the total tax relief package for one year, for example. I mean, there 
are ways to get it done. The key thing is that good people are coming 
together to try to effect good, sound fiscal policy and to stimulate the 
economy.
    Q. So, Mr. President, if something like what Senator Domenici has 
proposed happened, there would be some give elsewhere to keep it within 
the $1.6 trillion?
    The President. I think we ought to work to keep it within the $1.6 
trillion. I've sent that message. I hear Members of Congress saying, 
``Now we have the opportunity to load up the tax relief package for 
different projects.'' And my message is, keep it at $1.6 trillion. There 
are others who, of course, want to diminish it, as well. And my answer 
to them is, let's keep it at $1.6 trillion.
    Q. Would you oppose anything like a rebate that brought it above 
$1.6 trillion?
    The President. Well, we're working with the Congress to keep it 
within the bounds of $1.6 trillion. I saw what Senator 
Domenici said; he was talking about 
accelerating by about $40 billion. Well, that's a rounding number when 
you're talking in terms of trillions.

Campaign Finance Reform Legislation

    Q. If campaign financial legislation that banned soft money from 
individuals and that did not include paycheck protection in labor unions 
reach your desk, would you veto it?
    The President. Well, I'm watching the debate very carefully. My 
message is, I would like a bill to sign, and I want all parties involved 
in the debate to know that I'm anxious to sign a bill. I look forward to 
a bill and am confident that they will be able to come up with a bill 
that I can sign.
    Q. [Inaudible]--any one position?
    The President. Well, let me put it to you this way. I would--I 
believe they can come up with a reform that will meet the parameters 
that I've laid out that I can sign.

Expulsion of Russian Diplomats

    Q. Mr. President, are you worried about this tit for tat with the 
Russians and that it could get out of hand and hurt U.S.-Russian 
relations?
    The President. No, I believe we can have good, strong relations with 
the Russians. They'll just understand my administration is one that 
takes firm positions when we think we're right. That doesn't preclude 
the ability for Mr. Putin and me, for 
example, to meet at some point in time and have a good, honest 
discussion about common interests, areas where we can work together, and 
be able to discuss our disagreements in an open and honest way.

Tax Relief Legislation

    Q. Are you unalterably opposed to the idea of some kind of midterm 
review? I know you don't like the word ``trigger,'' but anything that 
takes a look to see whether surpluses really materialize?
    The President. Well, it depends on what it is. There's a lot of 
ideas now being floated out in the Congress, and I'm openminded to any 
good idea. And I'll listen to what different Members have to say. The 
key thing is that we have meaningful, real tax relief, where everybody 
who pays taxes gets relief and where, to the best extent possible, 
accelerate the tax relief to get money in people's pockets to serve as a 
stimulus to the economy.
    Q. So a trigger is not out of the question?
    The President. Again, any suggestion that people give I'm willing to 
listen to. Obviously, one of my concerns is that a tax relief package be 
undone because Congress wasn't fiscally responsible in its spending. I 
won't support a measure that says to Congress, spend all the money you 
want and, therefore, diminish the tax relief plan that we've gotten 
passed for the people, because one way is, to make sure that the 
surpluses don't exist, is if Congress isn't fiscally responsible with 
the people's money.

[[Page 291]]

Expulsion of Russian Diplomats

    Q. [Inaudible]--speak to President Putin before you have a face-to-
face meeting in June?
    The President. Maybe. I'm not sure yet.

Education

    Q. Maine's education--[inaudible]--worried that your plan for a 
national testing----
    The President. I'm going to address that today. I appreciate you 
asking that question. The Governor is 
here somewhere--the Governor and I talked about that. Maine has got a 
very strong accountability system, and it has enabled the public elected 
officials to address problems. When I talk about accountability systems, 
I talk about those developed by States and local jurisdictions, and 
Maine is a perfect example.
    One of the reasons I've come to this State is, not only is it a 
special spot in my heart because of an address down the road here, but 
this is a State where accountability and education go hand in hand. And 
in no way, shape, or form would I want Federal policy to undermine the 
good work that Governor King and others 
in Maine have done.
    So when I talk about local accountability and a willingness to set 
standards, I think of places like Texas and a place like Maine.
    Gov. Angus S. King, Jr., of Maine. 
We've been doing testing in the 4th, 8th, and 11th grade in Maine since 
1986. We published the results on the Internet by school, by school 
district, and it's accountability with a capital A.
    The President. Yes. I know there's--I'm aware that there was some 
consternation about proposals that I'm working with both Republicans and 
Democrats on in the Congress. People have got to remember I was a 
Governor, and I wasn't particularly happy when the Federal Government 
began to tell us what to do, particularly when it came to educating our 
children. And consistent in the plans that I'm working with the Congress 
on is that philosophy that we trust the local people. And the people of 
Maine have been very fortunate to have a Governor of this caliber to look after the public education system 
here.
    And as the Governor will tell you, 
the whole basis of reform is strong accountability, because you don't 
know whether--unless you measure, you don't know whether children are 
learning. And anyway, I'd better save some of the remarks for the 
speech. That way you'll pay attention.
    Governor King. I've got a motto for 
you, Mr. President: Does it work, and how do you know?
    The President. There you go. I may copy it.
    Anybody hungry? You look like a man who could use a meal. [Laughter]

Note: The exchange began at 11:10 a.m. during a tour of the Salvation 
Army Senior Center. In his remarks, the President referred to President 
Vladimir Putin of Russia. A tape was not available for verification of 
the content of this exchange.