[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 4 (Monday, January 29, 2001)]
[Pages 213-214]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks Prior to a Meeting With Republican Congressional Leaders and an 
Exchange With Reporters

January 22, 2001

Legislative Agenda

    The President. Thank you all for coming. It's been my honor to host 
a working lunch with the Speaker and Members from the House and even 
Members from the United States Senate. This is the beginning of a series 
of luncheons and dinners that I will have and the Vice President will 
have with Members of the Congress. If we're to get an agenda through the 
Congress, it's best that I be able to personally explain the issues and 
what I'm attempting to do.

[[Page 214]]

    I've told the leadership that they should be expecting a strong 
education reform package, a tax relief package, and a Medicare and 
Social Security reform package and a package to help pay the folks in 
the military more money. And I can't wait to work with them to get the 
people's business done.
    This is not the last time I'm going to see you all over here, nor 
will the meetings be only Republican; we'll have Democrats come here 
quite a few times, as well, to get some things done.
    So I want to thank you all for coming. I'm honored you're here. It's 
my first lunch in this part of the White House complex, and it's fitting 
that it be with Members of the legislative branch. Thanks for coming.

Abortion Funding

    Q. Mr. President, are you going to reverse the Executive order 
allowing abortion funding and counseling--Federal funds for abortion 
counseling and funding overseas?
    The President. Yes, I am.
    Q. When will you do that, sir?
    The President. Soon.
    Q. [Inaudible]--Executive orders reversing President Clinton's?
    The President. Yes.

Fetal Tissue Research

    Q. What about fetal tissue research? What about fetal tissue 
research?
    The President. I'll deal with that issue later.

Resolution of President Clinton's Legal Issues

    Q. Mr. President, how do you react to the deal that President 
Clinton entered into with the Independent Counsel, Robert Ray? What's 
your interpretation of that agreement, and were you considering a pardon 
should it have come to that?
    The President. I hadn't considered a pardon because the man hadn't 
been indicted. And my feeling about the actions of last Friday was, it's 
finally over with; it's now time to move on. And I think the country is 
pleased that it's time to move on, and that's exactly what we're going 
to do.
    Q. Was it appropriate, sir?
    The President. Thank you all. The pleasure is mine, Fournier [Ron 
Fournier, Associated Press]. [Laughter]
    Q. Welcome to the White House.
    The President. It's an honor to be here.

Note: The President spoke at 1 p.m. in the Cabinet Room at the White 
House. A tape was not available for verification of the content of these 
remarks.