    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2001, Book II)]
    [August 3, 2001]
    [Pages 940-941]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 940]]

    Remarks Following a Cabinet Meeting on the Legislative Agenda
    August 3, 2001

        Good afternoon. The Vice President and I are
    pleased to welcome the Cabinet to the Rose Garden. Together with
    Congress, we are proving that a new tone, a clear agenda, and active
    leadership can bring significant progress to the Nation's Capital. We
    are ending deadlock and drift and making our system work on behalf of
    the American people.
        Six months ago I chose a distinguished Cabinet, took a solemn oath,
    and promised to fight for the things close to my heart. My
    administration pledged to bring stability and high standards to
    Washington and to lead for the sake of all Americans.
        Six months later I'm proud of my Cabinet and the White House staff,
    who have worked with such energy and have brought integrity to their
    jobs. I'm grateful for the good will shown by Congress, and I am pleased
    with the progress we have made together, progress that touches every
    American family.
        We acted quickly to pass the first major tax cut in a generation to
    help families in an economic slowdown and to help rebuild the momentum
    of our economy.
        Both Houses of Congress have passed major education reform
    legislation, which will bring a new passion for excellence to America's
    public schools.
        We have broken 6 years of gridlock in the task of protecting
    patients from arbitrary medical decisions made by bureaucrats.
        The House has passed a bill to promote the work of mentoring groups,
    homeless shelters, and drug treatment facilities. And I have had
    positive discussions with leaders in the United States Senate on this
    matter.
        The House has also passed an energy plan that addresses current
    needs.
        We have put our foreign policy on sound footing. We are
    strengthening our relationships with our allies and moving to build a
    world that trades more freely.
        We have taken the first steps toward revitalizing and transforming
    our military so it can meet the threats and challenges of the future.
        Today the Senate joined with the House to provide our farmers with
    $5.5 billion of emergency help.
        We passed a budget resolution that, for the first time in recent
    memory, has been respected, not ignored. And we are on our way to the
    second largest surplus in history, as well as paying down a significant
    amount of U.S. debt.
        On this path, we are headed for a year of strong, meaningful
    legislative achievements. And I want to express my thanks for every
    legislator who made tough decisions, every legislator who chose long-
    term progress over short-term political gain.
        There's much more to do. In September the second stage of our work
    begins, and I will be guided by a few goals. First, we must finish the
    work we have begun. On the topics of education and the disadvantaged,
    our Nation has needs that will not wait. Americans, come September, will
    be watching. They want us to be principled, not partisan. They want us
    to look for agreement instead of looking for fights and arguments.
    Americans know obstructionism when they see it, and when necessary, I
    will point it out.
        Second, the Congress must live within the generous limits of our
    budget. Irresponsible spending is a threat to our economy and a threat
    to the essential functions of our Government. I will protect Medicare,
    Social Security, and our Armed Forces. And I will protect the American
    taxpayers. The Congress, through its budget resolution, has given its
    word on spending. So far, Congress has kept its word, and it must
    continue to do so.

    [[Page 941]]

        Third, within a limited budget we must have an active, compassionate
    Government. Beginning in September, I'll be proposing creative ways to
    tackle some of the toughest problems in our society. We must take the
    side of parents trying to raise responsible, motivated, and moral
    children. We must help disadvantaged Americans find opportunity and
    ownership and the tools to succeed in our free economy. We must show
    that our welcoming society values the ideals and contributions of
    immigrants. We must challenge Americans to be citizens, not spectators,
    in the renewal of their neighborhoods and their cities.
        In a few days, I'm headed home to the heartland to listen to the
    American people and to talk about the values that unite and sustain our
    country. Members of Congress are going home as well. When we all come
    back in September, so many accomplishments are within our reach, and I
    look forward to the work ahead.
        Thank you all very much.

    Note: The President spoke at 2:21 p.m. in the Rose Garden at the White
    House.