    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2002, Book I)]
    [June 25, 2002]
    [Pages 1065-1066]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders on Legislation To Increase the Public
    Debt Limit
    June 25, 2002

    Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. Leader:)
        I am writing to ask that the bipartisan cooperation you have shown
    in our war against terror and creation of a new Department of Homeland
    Security be extended to another important priority: maintaining the full
    faith and credit of the United States Government.
        Because of the economic slowdown that began in the summer of 2000,
    the terrorist attacks of September 11, and the ongoing expense of the
    war, the Secretary of the Treasury last December asked the Congress to
    increase the statutory ceiling on the Government's ability to raise
    funds. Seven months later, the Congress has still not acted, although it
    has routinely fulfilled this responsibility in the past.
        The Treasury has had to take extraordinary measures to allow the
    United States Government to continue to function normally as a result of
    the failure of the Congress to act. These are only temporary measures,
    not an excuse for the Congress to fail to fulfill its duties.
        I urge you and Minority Leader Gephardt to show the same spirit of bipartisan cooperation that
    Senate Majority Leader Daschle and Senate
    Minority Leader Lott showed 2 weeks ago with
    their bipartisanship on this important issue.
        As we fight for freedom, we must not imperil the full faith and
    credit of the United States Government and the soundness and strength of
    the American economy.
            Sincerely,

                                                              George W. Bush

    Note: Letters were sent to J. Dennis Hastert, Speaker, and Richard A.
    Gephardt, minority leader, House of Representatives. An original was not
    available for verification of the content of this letter.

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