[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 32, Number 5 (Monday, February 5, 1996)]
[Page 119]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on Signing the Ninth Continuing Resolution

January 26, 1996

    Today I have signed H.R. 2880, the ninth continuing resolution for 
fiscal year 1996 that I have signed into law.
    This bill ensures that the normal operations of Government continue 
for departments and agencies for which no full-year appropriations bill 
has been enacted. It provides funds for certain Federal activities 
through March 15, and other activities through September 30, 1996.
    Specifically, H.R. 2880 provides funds, through March 15, for 
activities that are normally funded in the Commerce, Justice, State, and 
Related Agencies bill; the Department of the Interior and Related 
Agencies bill; the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education bill; 
and the Department of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban 
Development, and Independent Agencies bill. It also provides full-year 
funding (i.e., through September 30) for programs in the Foreign 
Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs bill, ensuring 
adequate funds to implement an effective foreign policy that protects 
vital U.S. economic and strategic interests abroad.
    I am pleased that the Congress avoided another partial government 
shutdown, and I appreciate its bipartisan approach toward this bill. 
Nevertheless, I regret that the Congress has not sent me acceptable 1996 
appropriations bills for agencies that received funding only through 
March 15. Governing by continuing resolution is not the appropriate way 
for the Congress to perform its work. Once again, I urge the Congress to 
work with me so that we can reach agreement on the remaining fiscal year 
1996 appropriations bills.
    I also urge the Congress to send me a straightforward, full-year 
extension of the debt limit. If the Congress does not raise the debt 
limit, we would not be able to meet all of our financial obligations on 
February 29 or March 1, and would risk not being able to make timely 
payment of $30 billion of Social Security benefits and other 
obligations. A default could raise interest rates and impose serious, 
long-term harm on the economy. The Congress must act without delay.
    Finally, I urge congressional leaders to return to our negotiations 
to seek an agreement on a balanced budget. We should not give up on that 
goal.
                                            William J. Clinton
The White House,
January 26, 1996.

Note: H.R. 2880, approved January 26, was assigned Public Law No. 104-
99. This item was not received in time for publication in the 
appropriate issue.